Leaders | Lessons from a surprising experiment

Javier Milei: “My contempt for the state is infinite”

Argentina’s president is idolised by the Trumpian right. They should get to know him better

Black and white photograph of Javier Milei
image: Anita Pouchard Serra

Many people in America hope that the new Trump administration will take an axe to a bloated and overbearing government, cutting spending and rolling back regulation. Whether this goal is even plausible any more is a crucial question for America and the world, after two decades in which government debt globally has risen relentlessly, fuelled by the financial crisis of 2007-09 and the pandemic. For an answer, and a case study of taming an out-of-control Leviathan, head 5,000 miles south from Washington, where an extraordinary experiment is under way.

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This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline ““My contempt for the state is infinite””

From the November 30th 2024 edition

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