As I wrapped up my Friday essay about Argentina's story from riches to rags, I mentioned that something major happened here in November 2023. On the 19th of that month, economist and self-described "philosophical anarchist" (but pragmatic libertarian) Javier Milei won the presidency of Argentina.

His promise? To put a chainsaw to Argentina's bureaucracy and government waste.

Shockingly, it was Argentina's young people who helped turn his presidential bid into a reality.

As many as 70% of voters under 29 backed Milei. This is a striking contrast to young Americans, who mostly lean socialist and vote Democrat.

It didn't help that Taylor Swift fans, whose tour landed in Buenos Aires the week before the election, printed and plastered thousands of pink posters saying "Swifties Don't Vote for Milei" all over bus stops and construction sites. To drive the point home, the bottom of the posters even had the hashtag "#MileiEsTrump" (Milei Is Trump).