New Books in Economic and Business History Karen Robert, "Driving Terror: Labor, Violence, and Justice in Cold War Argentina" (U New Mexico Press, 2025)
Sep 21, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Karen Robert, a Professor of Latin American and world history, delves into the harrowing experiences of twenty-four Ford autoworkers in Argentina who faced torture for their union activism. She highlights the transformation of the Ford Falcon from a beloved family car to a symbol of state terror during the military dictatorship. Robert also unpacks the connections between labor repression, corporate complicity, and the courageous pursuit of justice by victims, providing a compelling look at Argentina's complex history.
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Falcon Shifted From Modernity To Menace
- The Ford Falcon began as a mid-century emblem of American modernity and consumer freedom tied to Cold War messaging.
- In Argentina its meaning later inverted into a symbol of state terror during the 1970s crackdown.
Preexisting Car Culture Shaped Ford's Entry
- Argentina already had deep car culture and early Ford presence, making the Falcon culturally resonant before local manufacturing began.
- Government industrial policies and tariffs, not pure corporate eagerness, drove automakers to build factories in Argentina.
Cuban Revolution Drove Corporate Strategy
- The Cuban Revolution jolted U.S. industry and policymakers to support Latin American manufacturing to counter revolutionary influence.
- Henry Ford II and others accepted local production as a geopolitical as well as economic response.
