Ocupar, resistir, producir. The recuperated factories of Argentina

This study focuses on the recuperated factories movement (ERT) of Argentina, its dynamics, and outcomes. It investigates the ways in which the political and economic strategies of the ERT movement have affected workers’ views of their social role, and their class position. Although the ERTs originate from workers’ necessity to maintain their place of work and earnings, they have engendered deep transformations including modes of production, ownership of knowledge, redistribution of wealth, and patterns of social interaction. These changes are reflected in new worker identities that, despite being tied to the historical class consciousness of Argentina’s working-class, bring elements of divergence with a classic Marxist interpretation of consciousness. This study reflects on the characteristics of this new socio-political identity and its association with historical practices and perspectives. It also elaborates on the economic, political, and social implications of this new consciousness.