Podcast Summary: Saldremos Mejores – “Saldremos de Milei” (4X16)

Host: Inés Hernán & Nerea Pérez de las Heras
Guest: Julia Mengolini (abogada, periodista y autora argentina)
Date: January 2, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

This special monographic episode of Saldremos Mejores dives deep into the social and political earthquake set off by the rise and presidency of Argentina’s Javier Milei. With guest Julia Mengolini, the conversation analyzes the mechanisms through which far-right populism, embodied by Milei, canalizes popular discontent, especially among youth, recasts public debate, and profoundly challenges feminist movements and the political left—both in Argentina and as a harbinger for other contexts such as Spain.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Shock and Themes of Milei’s Ascension

• Fragment from “Sin Control” podcast: Outlines Milei’s extreme economic policies—cutting subsidies, slashing public sector jobs, paralyzing public works, defunding science and education, and eroding pensions ([01:09–01:50]).
• Julia Mengolini contextualizes: The national mood is one of disorientation and sadness; the country feels alien to itself, with iconic figures and institutions such as the “Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo” under attack ([04:29–05:02]).
• The “Curandero” Analogy: Argentines, battered by years of failed remedies, have turned to Milei out of desperation—“a question of faith” ([06:34]).

2. How Far-Right Populism Captures Discontent

• Question raised: Why does the far right seem to inspire hope among the most socially vulnerable, especially youth? ([02:31–03:44]).
• The paradox: The very groups losing social rights back the forces that will further undermine those rights. Women, especially in countries with powerful feminist traditions, are the main demographic resisting this trend ([03:44]).

3. Milei’s Economic and Ideological Project

• Neoliberalism “to the extreme”: The project is not new; it is a radical continuation of 1970s neoliberalism—prioritizing market over state, even dreaming of eliminating national currency ([08:19–11:45]).
• Dolarization: Milei’s advocacy to eliminate the peso is dissected as a move toward economic “colonialism.” Without its own currency, Argentina would lose redistribution tools and sovereignty ([09:17–11:45]).

4. Social Fragmentation and the Role of the Internet

• Neoliberal strategy: “Divide and conquer” by sowing hatred—against the poor, immigrants, women—fragmenting society for oligarchic dominance ([11:56–12:26]).
• Digital Radicalization and Male Victimhood: The pandemic deepened the isolation of youth, especially men, leading them into online communities that reinforce reactionary, misogynist, and anti-social sentiments ([14:54–17:04]).
• Julia’s assessment: The public sphere, especially on Twitter/X under Elon Musk, has become toxic and privatized ([18:17–21:32]).

5. Why Did Milei Win? What About Youth and Gender Splits?

• Empathy with “the broken one”: Milei’s personal traumas and outsider status resonate with a broken electorate ([25:06–25:20]).
• Focus groups: Those most affected by pandemic disruption—disproportionately young men—voted Milei. The gender split is historic: “El feminismo es un antídoto antifascista”—feminism acts as an antifascist shield, with women (regardless of political affiliation) resisting Milei much more than men ([26:15–27:10]).

6. Crisis, Feminism, and the Challenge of Inclusion

• Self-criticism of feminist movements: Did feminism (in Argentina and globally) leave young men out? Did it foster a language of exclusion rather than one of collective aspiration? ([27:37–36:38]).
• Need for more inclusive, intergenerational, and intersectional projects that genuinely address the needs for community, belonging, and transformative politics among youth—girls and boys ([34:19–36:38]).

7. The Pitfalls of Cancel Culture and Anonymous Accusations

• Denuncias anónimas: Both Julia and the hosts critique the dangers and unintended consequences of anonymous public accusations. “Si todo es abuso, nada es abuso...” ([43:54–44:29]).
• Effective responses: Prefer collective, public, and carefully mediated denunciations, inspired by movements such as "Actrices Argentinas" in the Thelma Fardin case ([45:50–49:24]).

8. The Way Forward: Agency, Debate, and Collective Empowerment

• Agency vs. Victimhood: While acknowledging structural violence, Julia argues for moving out of a pure "victim" stance if we are to effect real change ([53:03–54:54]).
• Feminist gains: Relationships and workplace dynamics have improved, but new challenges await, especially in building male allyship and sustaining progressive inclusion ([31:28–32:17]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the current mood in Argentina:

  • “Como si de repente nos hubiesen un poco cambiado de país, así que está complicado, pero bueno, todavía hay muchos que vivimos todavía en nuestra patria y que vamos a seguir haciendo las cosas como con las botas puestas.”
    — Julia Mengolini ([05:02])

• On why Milei’s campaign succeeded:

  • “En algunos aspectos está irreconocible el país… hay mucha gente que está directamente triste…”
    — Julia Mengolini ([04:31])
  • “Debe ser que en nuestras sociedades me parece que hay mucho de eso. Es lo que a mí se me ocurre pensar, pero está difícil de pensarlo, está muy difícil.”
    — Julia Mengolini on society's identification with “el roto” ([25:20])

• On feminism as an antifascist shield:

  • “El feminismo que nos atravesó a todas... es un antídoto antifascista. Hoy ser mujer en Argentina es un antídoto antifascista.”
    — Julia Mengolini ([26:42])

• On cancel culture and anonymous denunciations:

  • “Si todo es abuso, nada es abuso, ese es el problema.”
    — Julia Mengolini ([44:29])
  • “La arbitrariedad de la denuncia anónima... la arbitrariedad nos vuelve en contra. Hay un dulce en la revancha... pero no es buena consejera.”
    — Julia Mengolini ([48:33])

• On future strategy for feminism and anti-fascist organizing:

  • “Vamos a tener que buscar la forma de volver, incorporarlos, de persuadirlos, de invitarles a ese mundo más lindo, más igualitario con el que nosotras las feministas soñamos. Es con ellos, la verdad que sin ellos no vamos a llegar a ningún lado.”
    — Julia Mengolini ([36:55])

• On agency versus perpetual victimhood:

  • “Hay que empezar a creérsela también... Chicas, no podemos quedarnos en ese lugar, lo somos, son años de dominación, nos falta mucho. Pero hay que empezar a creérsela también.”
    — Julia Mengolini ([53:03–54:54])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Milei’s cuts and policies: [01:09–01:50]
• Social trauma in Argentina: [04:29–05:10]
• Roots of Milei’s rise & “faith” analogy: [06:34]
• Economic neoliberalism explained: [08:19–11:45]
• Dolarization and sovereignty: [09:17–11:45]
• Pandemic, digital disconnection, and rise of incel culture: [14:54–17:04]
• Feminism as antifascism / Gender splits in voting: [26:15–27:10]
• Autocrítica del feminismo y problema de los varones excluidos: [27:37–36:38]
• Cancel culture and denunciation strategies: [43:01–50:25]
• On reclaiming agency, not remaining as victims: [53:03–54:54]

Tone & Style

The episode is rigorous, irreverent, honest, and empathetic, moving seamlessly between critical diagnosis and the search for hope (“¿hay una lucecita de optimismo?”). Julia Mengolini’s voice is deeply personal and combative but reflective, while the hosts balance sharp wit with solidarity and vulnerability.

Further Reading & Listening

• Julia Mengolini’s book: Las caras del monstruo
• Podcast referenced: Sin Control (El País Audio y Anfibia)
• For more from Julia: Listen to her on Futuroc (Argentina)

Takeaway

This episode offers a crucial, passionate, and self-reflective analysis not only of Argentina’s ongoing crisis under Milei, but also serves as a warning and a toolkit for understanding the global advance of the far right, the fragilities of progressive and feminist communities, and the necessity of rebuilding solidarity—especially among a new, vulnerable generation.