Mario Bravo
Encyclopedia
Mario Bravo was an Argentine politician and writer.
, Tucumán Province
, in 1882, Bravo enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires
, and earned a Law Degree in 1905 after submitting his thesis on labor legislation. He joined the Socialist Party while a student, and in 1907, was named editor-in-chief of La Vanguardia, one of the best-known socialist publications in Argentina, at the time. He also published numerous works of prose, poetry, and non-fiction, from 1909 onwards.
Following Socialists' surprise victory in a 1913 Buenos Aires Senate seat race, Bravo was named second on the Socialist party list for the City of Buenos Aires delegation to the Lower House of Congress
, and in 1914
, was elected to Congress with cooperative movement leader Nicolás Repetto
and four others from the party. He was re-elected to Congress in 1918, and in 1923, was elected to the Senate
. A member of a minority party in a Congress dominated by the rivalry between the centrist UCR and conservatives, Bravo introduced numerous pieces of legislation, particularly bills advancing labor law reforms and women's rights
. He continued to write while in Congress, publishing poetry as well as political works.
The Socialists enetred a crisis ahead of the 1928 elections, when, during their 1927 convention, their party standadrd-bearer, Senator Juan B. Justo
, selected former University of La Plata Director José Nicolás Matienzo
as his running mate. Justo died suddenly in January 1928, however, leaving Matienzo as the nominee. Viewed by Bravo's supporters as too conservative, the Matienzo pick led to a schism in which the latter ran for President on an Independent Socialist ticket, and Bravo ran on the official one. Matienzo, who received the support of much of the press, garned far fewer votes; whereas Bravo, who staked his campaign on support from Buenos Aires, received no votes in the electoral college
, however, Matienzo received 3 as a result of support from San Juan
Governor Federico Cantoni. The election resulted in a debacle for the Socialists, who were distantly outpolled by both UCR leader Hipólito Yrigoyen
, as well as by conservatives.
Following the 1930 overthrow of President Hipólito Yrigoyen
, Bravo negotiated a Civil Alliance between the Socialist Party and the PDP
of the more conservative reformist, Lisandro de la Torre
, in 1931. The Alliance became the leading party in opposition to the ruling Concordance
following the deportation of UCR
leader Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
; massive voter fraud contributed to Alliance's defeat in the 1931 elections, however.
Returned to the Senate by voters in 1932 (following Congress' suspension by a coup d'état
against President Yrigoyen in 1930), Bravo became known for his work on arms control
legislation. He was defeated in 1939, however, and resumed his post as editor-in-chief of La Vanguardia, as well as of the news and commentary weekly, Argentina Libre.
Elections in 1942 returned Bravo to public office, and he served as Congressman from Buenos Aires. His health had deteriorated, however, and he shortly afterwards donated his extensive library to the University of Tucumán. Mario Bravo died in 1944, at age 61.
Life and times
Born in La CochaLa Cocha
La Cocha is a settlement in Tucumán Province in northern Argentina....
, Tucumán Province
Tucumán Province
Tucumán is the most densely populated, and the smallest by land area, of the provinces of Argentina. Located in the northwest of the country, the capital is San Miguel de Tucumán, often shortened to Tucumán. Neighboring provinces are, clockwise from the north: Salta, Santiago del Estero and...
, in 1882, Bravo enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires
University of Buenos Aires
The University of Buenos Aires is the largest university in Argentina and the largest university by enrollment in Latin America. Founded on August 12, 1821 in the city of Buenos Aires, it consists of 13 faculties, 6 hospitals, 10 museums and is linked to 4 high schools: Colegio Nacional de Buenos...
, and earned a Law Degree in 1905 after submitting his thesis on labor legislation. He joined the Socialist Party while a student, and in 1907, was named editor-in-chief of La Vanguardia, one of the best-known socialist publications in Argentina, at the time. He also published numerous works of prose, poetry, and non-fiction, from 1909 onwards.
Following Socialists' surprise victory in a 1913 Buenos Aires Senate seat race, Bravo was named second on the Socialist party list for the City of Buenos Aires delegation to the Lower House of Congress
Argentine Chamber of Deputies
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the Argentine National Congress. This Chamber holds exclusive rights to create taxes, to draft troops, and to accuse the President, the ministers and the members of the Supreme Court before the Senate....
, and in 1914
Argentine legislative election, 1914
The Argentine legislative elections of 1914 were held on 22 March. Voters chose their legislators, and with a turnout of 55.7%, it produced the following results:-Argentine Chamber of Deputies:-Background:...
, was elected to Congress with cooperative movement leader Nicolás Repetto
Nicolás Repetto
Nicolás Repetto was an Argentine physician and leader of the Socialist Party of Argentina.-Biography:Nicolás Repetto was born in Buenos Aires in 1871 and enrolled at the prestigious Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires, a public college preparatory school. He was introduced to politics by a friend and...
and four others from the party. He was re-elected to Congress in 1918, and in 1923, was elected to the Senate
Argentine Senate
The Argentine Senate is the upper house of the Argentine National Congress. It has 72 senators: three for each province and three for the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires...
. A member of a minority party in a Congress dominated by the rivalry between the centrist UCR and conservatives, Bravo introduced numerous pieces of legislation, particularly bills advancing labor law reforms and women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
. He continued to write while in Congress, publishing poetry as well as political works.
The Socialists enetred a crisis ahead of the 1928 elections, when, during their 1927 convention, their party standadrd-bearer, Senator Juan B. Justo
Juan B. Justo
Juan Bautista Justo was an Argentine physician, journalist, politician, and writer. After finishing medical school he joined the Unión Cívica Radical, later participating in the foundation of the Socialist Party in 1896, of which he was chief director until his death...
, selected former University of La Plata Director José Nicolás Matienzo
José Nicolás Matienzo
José Nicolás Matienzo was a prominent Argentine lawyer, writer, academic and policy maker.-Life and times:José Nicolás Matienzo was born in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina, in 1860. He enrolled at the University of Buenos Aires Law School, where he was mentored by Professor José Manuel Estrada,...
as his running mate. Justo died suddenly in January 1928, however, leaving Matienzo as the nominee. Viewed by Bravo's supporters as too conservative, the Matienzo pick led to a schism in which the latter ran for President on an Independent Socialist ticket, and Bravo ran on the official one. Matienzo, who received the support of much of the press, garned far fewer votes; whereas Bravo, who staked his campaign on support from Buenos Aires, received no votes in the electoral college
Electoral college
An electoral college is a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office. Often these represent different organizations or entities, with each organization or entity represented by a particular number of electors or with votes weighted in a particular way...
, however, Matienzo received 3 as a result of support from San Juan
San Juan Province (Argentina)
San Juan is a province of Argentina, located in the western part of the country. Neighbouring provinces are, moving clockwise from the north, La Rioja, San Luis and Mendoza. It borders with Chile at the west....
Governor Federico Cantoni. The election resulted in a debacle for the Socialists, who were distantly outpolled by both UCR leader Hipólito Yrigoyen
Hipólito Yrigoyen
Juan Hipólito del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Irigoyen Alem was twice President of Argentina . His activism became the prime impetus behind the obtainment of universal suffrage in Argentina in 1912...
, as well as by conservatives.
Following the 1930 overthrow of President Hipólito Yrigoyen
Hipólito Yrigoyen
Juan Hipólito del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús Irigoyen Alem was twice President of Argentina . His activism became the prime impetus behind the obtainment of universal suffrage in Argentina in 1912...
, Bravo negotiated a Civil Alliance between the Socialist Party and the PDP
Democratic Progressive Party (Argentina)
The Democratic Progressive Party is a provincial political party in Santa Fe, Argentina. It was founded by Lisandro de la Torre at the Savoy Hotel in Buenos Aires on December 14, 1914. One of its founders was the academic Dr...
of the more conservative reformist, Lisandro de la Torre
Lisandro de la Torre
Lisandro de la Torre was an Argentine politician, born in Rosario, province of Santa Fe.De la Torre became a lawyer in 1890. His thesis about municipalities and communes, as well as other works of his, gave rise to the idea of municipal autonomy in Argentina, which was included in the Argentine...
, in 1931. The Alliance became the leading party in opposition to the ruling Concordance
Concordancia (Argentina)
The Concordancia was a political alliance in Argentina. Three Presidents belonging to the Concordance were in power from 1931 to 1943, a period known in Argentina as the "Infamous Decade."...
following the deportation of UCR
Radical Civic Union
The Radical Civic Union is a political party in Argentina. The party's positions on issues range from liberal to social democratic. The UCR is a member of the Socialist International. Founded in 1891 by radical liberals, it is the oldest political party active in Argentina...
leader Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear
Máximo Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear Pacheco , better known as Marcelo T. de Alvear was an Argentine politician and President of Argentina from October 12, 1922 to October 12, 1928.-Biography:...
; massive voter fraud contributed to Alliance's defeat in the 1931 elections, however.
Returned to the Senate by voters in 1932 (following Congress' suspension by a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
against President Yrigoyen in 1930), Bravo became known for his work on arms control
Arms control
Arms control is an umbrella term for restrictions upon the development, production, stockpiling, proliferation, and usage of weapons, especially weapons of mass destruction...
legislation. He was defeated in 1939, however, and resumed his post as editor-in-chief of La Vanguardia, as well as of the news and commentary weekly, Argentina Libre.
Elections in 1942 returned Bravo to public office, and he served as Congressman from Buenos Aires. His health had deteriorated, however, and he shortly afterwards donated his extensive library to the University of Tucumán. Mario Bravo died in 1944, at age 61.