From Domestic Government to Political Community: the Debate on Autonomy in Buenos Aires’ History

Abstract

The article analyzes the principal axes on which the discussion on the autonomy has moved in Buenos Aires linked with the general transformations in the conceptions of the city government. Three conceptions are described in different historical moments. Towards the end of the 19th century, the demand of autonomy was referring to the possibility of “vecinos” of dealing with the civil and domestic matters of the municipality. Entered the 20th century, the demand on autonomy was articulated by the claim of universal right to municipal vote and the popular choice of the “intendente”, supporting the social character of the city. Finally, with the process of reform of the Constitution, in 1994, there is inaugurated a statement of the autonomy associated with the construction of a political community.