DEMOCRATIZATION AND INCLUSION IN ARGENTINEAN UNIVERSITY: ITS SCOPE DURING THE KIRCHNER GOVERNMENTS (2003-2015)

Abstract: In Argentina, during the administrations of Nestor and Cristina Kirchner (2003-2015), the expansion of opportunities in universities had a central place in government’s agenda. In this paper we intend to explore the scope and limitations of these policies analyzed from the theoretical perspective through democracy and inclusion notions. These policies were put into practice through creation of new institutions -especially those located in the suburbs of Buenos Aires- and direct financial aid programs. These strategies increase educational opportunities and improve its access to the most excluded sectors. Nevertheless, as they are not articulated with policies that address in a complex way the link between socio-economic, institutional and labor market variables, their impact in the reduction of social inequalities has a limited effect.