God, Freedom, and the Market: Religious Populism and Libertarian Politics in Argentina

This article analyzes the presidency of Javier Milei as a distinctive case of libertarian and religious populism in contemporary Argentina. It argues that mileísmo combines a populist moralization of politics with a radical pro-market ideology that sacralizes economic relations while reducing politics to an instrumental role. Drawing on a literature review, survey data on religious change in Argentina, and discourse analysis of speeches, press coverage, and official documents, the article shows how the libertarian project relies on both religious rhetoric and selective alliances with some conservative religious actors. Unlike nationalist or statist forms of right-wing populism, current Argentine populism is explicitly anti-statist, globalist, and strongly aligned with the United States and Israel. The article conceptualizes this configuration as a form of market theology that redefines sovereignty, freedom, and justice in moral and religious terms. By examining the interaction between populism, religion, and foreign policy orientation, the Argentine case contributes to broader debates on the role of religion in legitimizing contemporary political and economic transformations in global politics.