States, alliances, and subnational inequality: Argentina in comparative perspective, 2003–2019

Abstract

Economic inequality is unevenly distributed across subnational territorial units, and national averages obscure this variability. What explains variations in inequality within countries? This study argues that the type of subnational governing alliance (regressive or progressive) expressed in the composition of government cabinets affects the level of provincial inequality. The study classifies and codes provincial cabinet members according to their economic, political, and social background. These sectors can form part of a progressive (unions, social, and feminist movements) or regressive (agribusiness or large energy companies) alliance. A large-N analysis of original panel data for Argentina between 2003 and 2019 provides empirical support for these claims. The study also analyzes two key cases, Chaco and Corrientes, which show how the different alliances are associated with varying results in inequality. The study concludes by exploring some comparative implications.