Abstract

In this article, I propose a Foucauldian reading of the so-called Conquest of the Desert, which took place in Argentina during the 19th century. This event played a foundational role in the formation of the Argentinian nation-state and its society, and its effects are still present in the current political, economic, social, and cultural scenario of the country. After a brief presentation of the “Conquest of the Desert”, I examine the concepts that the Foucauldian thought offers to analyze this event and its implications and derivations. Then, I outline ideas, tools and lines of study that can help understand the event, extracted from research developed following the Foucauldian thought, or which discuss with it and attend to the particularities and specificities of the event. Finally, I present the conclusions that resulted from analyzing the ideas, tools, and orientations, and weigh their scope and potential, as an epilogue to the issues raised.