Javier Milei: 'You Don't Beat Populism by Practicing Populism'

The December 2026 issue of Reason explores Argentine President Javier Milei's accomplishments and what is yet to be done.

We always say that government operates through three paths.

One of them is extremely important, and it is the one I came from: the cultural battle. All of us, in one way or another, wage that battle wherever we can, spreading the ideas of liberty and explaining the benefits of freedom.

But ideas alone aren't enough.

I remember that before getting involved in politics, I once went to dinner with someone. In the middle of dinner, this person kept saying, "Yes, very interesting, very interesting." Then he called his son and asked him to bring one of the political ballots that people use to vote. He said, "Ah, wonderful," put the ballot down in front of me, and asked, "Where are Milei's ideas on here?"

In other words, if we want to change reality, we not only have to engage in the cultural battle and spread these ideas; we also have to get involved in the political arena. … [Subscribe to continue reading]