July 9th: Argentine Independence, a Living Legacy

From the 1816 Declaration to Today's Challenges

1. The Foundational Feat: Historical Context and Declaration

In 1816, the act of declaring independence was not a mere formality, but a response to an adverse geopolitical context. With King Ferdinand VII restored to the absolutist throne and England's commitment not to support the "American rebels," the revolutionary movement on the continent found itself cornered. The collective self-determination of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata materialized in the City of San Miguel de Tucumán. The expression "violent ties" used in the Act was not an empty slogan: it reflected the juridical-political language of the time to describe a system of domination imposed without consent, which had systematically denied the autonomy of the American territories. Despite the centralism of Buenos Aires and the absence of deputies from the Federal League led by José Gervasio Artigas, the Congress declared the rupture of those ties that bound them to the Spanish crown. This act of courage was a clear signal to the world: the will of a free and independent people is not negotiable.

The decision of 1816 transcends mere political emancipation. Recent research shows that a shared vision and a common goal activate large-scale cooperation mechanisms in human societies (see study on human cooperation). That declaration was the crystallization of a collective project that sought to provide a sense of belonging to a diverse population, laying the foundations for the construction of a national identity that unites us to this day.

As expressed in 2012, we remember "for those who were protagonists of our history, for our history itself and for our memory." Today, that memory is resignified: Happy Independence Day to all Argentines and to those who share the values of a nation forged in adversity!

2. The Act of Independence

The foundational pact was embodied in a document whose symbolic value is immeasurable. Transcribing its words is to honor the clarity of that mandate: "we solemnly declare to the face of the earth, that it is the unanimous and undoubted will of these Provinces to break the violent ties that bound them to the kings of Spain, to recover the rights of which they were despoiled, and to invest themselves with the high character of a free and independent nation from King Ferdinand the Seventh, his successors and metropolis." Drafted in Spanish and Quechua, the act recognizes the original cultural plurality. It is currently deposited in the General Archive of the Nation, as a physical reminder that freedom is not an abstraction, but a commitment sealed with "lives, possessions and fame."

The language used is not casual: "protesting to Heaven, to the nations and all men of the globe the justice that rules our votes." This appeal to universal justice reveals an intention to integrate into the international community as an equal, a revolutionary concept for the time that remains the pillar of our foreign relations.

3. The Search for Identity in the 21st Century

The search for a Latin American identity continues. Overcoming the false dichotomy between a "self-regulated market capitalism" and a "Marxism incompatible with democratic ideals" remains an imperative. As I maintained more than a decade ago, I do not share that there is an impossibility of achieving profound social changes through peaceful and legal means. The key, as Andrés Bello suggested, lies in reconciling our multicultural heritage —the original, the Hispanic, that of subsequent immigration— to create an authentic and proper philosophy.

Current evidence indicates that societies that foster inclusion and reduce the perception of inequality are not only more stable, but also enhance the mental and physical health of their citizens. Community interventions aimed at strengthening social ties have proven effective in improving the general well-being of populations (see systematic review on interventions to strengthen social cohesion). Therefore, rescuing old values such as Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, along with the clarity and rationality of the Enlightenment, is not a nostalgic exercise, but a concrete strategy to improve our quality of life.

4. Contemporary Challenges for a Sovereign Nation

The independence declared in 1816 is not an achieved state, but a process that is renewed in the capacity to manage the "public thing" with transparency. Active transparency remains the pending task. The right to access public information is a fundamental human right, and its full exercise is what transforms a subject into a citizen.

The concern for the lack of integrity in the management of public affairs, expressed in 2012, has deepened. Citizens' perception of corruption or nepotism generates weariness and social disconnection, eroding the trust capital indispensable for any collective project (see study in Nature Human Behaviour).

1 Social Cohesion vs. Polarization: Solidarity, understood as a feeling of unity based on common goals, is a fundamental need. Extreme polarization, on the other hand, is a factor of chronic stress that negatively impacts the health of the population. Fostering education in tolerance and collaboration is a State policy that we must still consolidate.

2 Environmental Protection: Environmental management is no longer an option. It is an imperative that balances economic development with the rational use of resources. While political inaction disproportionately affects the most humble communities —which have fewer resources to protect themselves or mitigate the effects— it is fundamental to understand that environmental degradation impacts the entire community without distinction. Air, water and soil pollution do not recognize socioeconomic barriers: their consequences on public health, productivity and quality of life reach all inhabitants. The difference lies in the capacity to respond, but the problem is collective and demands collective solutions.

3 Institutional Quality: The persistence of nepotism, privileged retirements without ethical support and weak political responsibility are burdens that offend our Nation. The citizen, whose political power begins and ends with voting, needs tools for permanent control over the suitability of their officials. Civic technology and network neutrality emerge as key allies to oversee power and strengthen a democracy that, as our forefathers dreamed, is a reality and not a distant aspiration.

5. Corollary: The Homeland as a Perpetual Act

Jorge Luis Borges wrote in his "Ode to the Homeland" that "no one is the homeland, but we all are." This phrase encapsulates the co-responsibility we have with the legacy of 1816. The homeland is not an abstract entity, but "a perpetual act" that manifests in every decision for justice, transparency and the common good. Those "gentlemen" swore to be what they ignored, Argentines. Today, our duty is to honor that oath not only with memory, but with concrete action so that the glorious burden they bequeathed to us is not lost in indifference.

Being worthy of that ancient oath means, in the 21st century, understanding that true independence is built with social cohesion, solid institutions and an unwavering commitment to the future. "Let it burn in my chest and in yours, incessant, that clear mysterious fire," Borges invites us. May the fire of independence continue to illuminate us to build a nation that is, finally, the faithful reflection of the freedom dreamed of in Tucumán. Our duty is to save, with our actions today, the justification of those who died.

📚 Links of Interest

• "Historic House" Museum of Independence
• Declaration of Argentine Independence - July 9, 1816
• General Archive of the Nation
• 360° Photograph of the Historic House of Independence