ABSTRACT
As is usual in the literature on politics, these men gave their names to the political variants of Peronism they developed: Menemism and Kirchnerism. These terms refer to their style of leadership as well as their social and economic policies. Each president had a very different vision of the role of the state. Menem's economic plan involved profound structural reforms, including privatization of public companies, economic deregulation and the opening up of the economy to foreign trade and investment. Both Menem and Kirchner were provincial leaders of the Peronist Party and occupied executive offices including that of provincial governor before becoming president. Both presidents had enormous power in their provinces, which practically became their fiefdoms. Both presidents had enormous power in their provinces, which practically became their fiefdoms. Menem's personality played an important role in both his electoral successes and the way he governed.
