The Business Sector in Rio Cuarto: its consolidation process and the growing influence over the local power (last years of the 19th century and early decades of 20th century)

Abstract

The present paper attempts to examine the social, economic and politic dynamic involved in the consolidation process of the business sector as a political actor which influences the local power. This process takes place during the last years of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century in Río Cuarto, Province of Córdoba, Argentina. In order to identify different strategies employed by this sector, three immigrant families engaged in commercial activities were selected: Remedi, Jorba and Daguerre. The selection was not arbitrary, it responded to the presence of these families in different moments, considered essential for the consolidation of the sector, and to their connections through covenant marriages and social interaction in several areas. This research does not intend to conduct an in-depth study of the families’ histories, but to consider the business sector as a collective actor. Besides, it intends to delve into the political participation of this sector, identifying the different techniques adopted to take part in the local power: the supportive and the corporative positions.