Abstract:
This paper explores utopian content in Argirópolis, a novel by Argentinian Domingo Faustino Sarmiento (1811-1888) that was published in 1850. It proposes the union under the form of a Confederation of what used to be known as the Viceroyalty of the Río de La Plata —a territory that now belongs to Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and part of Bolivia. That union would be based on the creation of a General Congress, a unified Constitution and the building of a new capital city at a “neutral” place —on Martín García island— which would be called Argirópolis or “the city of Plata”. Beyond any suggestion this text might convey, with liberal political propaganda standing out, this study will show how Argirópolis utopia summed up and symbolized the ideal and longing for a new nation for the Argentinian “desert”, a new identity for Platan context.
Keywords: Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, Argirópolis, utopia, identity, Latin American history of thinking.
