The limits of effective coordination and institutional change in Latin American hierarchical market economies: Case study of the creation and performance of the Economic and Social Council of Argentina

This article assesses the performance of the Economic and Social Council of Argentina (ESC-A) over its two years of activity (2021–22). Our analysis focuses on the implantation of this new forum in the hierarchical institutional framework of Argentina’s economy and, following the notion of institutional complementarity, it is compared to the National Council on Employment, Productivity and the Minimum Living and Adjustable Wage. Our sources include secondary information, participant observation and semi-structured interviews. The results highlight the internal and external limitations that hampered the institutional change sought through the ESC-A. The 2023 change of government, added to the forum’s weak performance, ultimately led to its dissolution.