On the Argentinian School

THIS IS AN INTRODUCTION to the four papers that follow, by Drs. Bleger, Grinberg, Liberman, and Zac, members of the Argentine Psychoanalytic Association, which represent—despite the diversity of their themes—specific modes of conceptualization characteristic of a collective point of view known as the "Argentine School of Psychoanalysis." The four authors address themselves to different issues: Bleger elaborates a theoretical approach to the area of psychosis; Grinberg deals with the problem of identity; Liberman is concerned with linguistic parameters, as a way of establishing a more clearly scientific basis for the psychoanalytic method; Zac addresses problems in the development of thinking. These authors demonstrate clearly the application of multidisciplinary thinking to the growth of psychoanalytic ideas. Their adoption of the multidisciplinary perspective in no way compromises their adherence to object relations theory as the foundation of the psychoanalytic movement in Argentina.

In the course of institutionalization of psychoanalysis by means of the organization of the International Psychoanalytic Association, conceived and promoted by Ernest Jones, the power structure of the psychoanalytic movement tended, from the outset, to become verticalized. This principle of organization, precipitated and perpetuated the problem of conflicting factions within the British Psychoanalytic Association. One pole of the conflict—the majority group—was represented by Anna Freud, whose followers in England had strong ties with the dominant psychoanalytic force in the United States, embodied in the American Psychoanalytic Association. The other pole, consisted of a minority