Manuel Agustín Aguirre - Ecuadorian Literature

Manuel Agustín Aguirre Ríos (Loja, July 12, 1903 – Quito, September 15, 1992) was an Ecuadorian educator, jurist, poet, and political leader. A prominent Marxist theorist, Aguirre was a founding member of the Ecuadorian Socialist Party and later established the Revolutionary Socialist Party. His political career included serving as Vice President of the Constituent Assembly in 1945 and advocating for socialist reforms. As an academic, he became the first dean of the Faculty of Economics at the Central University of Ecuador and led the Second University Reform. Aguirre also authored several important works on Marxism and Latin American politics.

Early Life and Education

Manuel Agustín Aguirre Ríos was born on July 12, 1903, in Loja, Ecuador. He was the son of Captain Agustín Aguirre, a military officer who died in an accident in 1915, and Antonia Ríos. Orphaned at the age of 12, Aguirre’s early life was marked by hardship as his widowed mother worked to support him and his siblings. Despite these challenges, Aguirre attended the Colegio Bernardo Valdivieso, where he developed a passion for literature, encouraged by his teacher Clodoveo Jaramillo Alvarado. Aguirre’s deep interest in politics and social justice began during this time. After completing secondary school in 1921, he pursued a degree in jurisprudence at the Universidad Nacional de Loja. Later, in 1928, he transferred to the Universidad Central del Ecuador, where he earned his law degree in 1931.

Literary Beginnings and Political Involvement

Aguirre’s intellectual and political growth was intertwined with his literary career. His early exposure to socialist ideas led him to become a founding member of the socialist cell “La Vanguardia” in 1925. In 1931, Aguirre published his first poetry collection, Poemas Automáticos, influenced by European avant-garde and surrealist movements. His subsequent works, Llamada de los Proletarios (1935) and Pies Desnudos (1943), reflected his increasing focus on social issues, particularly the struggles of the working class and indigenous peoples.

Politically, Aguirre was a central figure in the establishment of the Partido Socialista Ecuatoriano (PSE) and held leadership roles within the party. His involvement in labor movements and opposition to authoritarian regimes made him a significant figure in Ecuador’s socialist and communist movements. His ideological development deepened through his participation in both political activism and academic teaching.

Academic and Professional Career

Aguirre’s academic career flourished alongside his political work. He became a professor at the Central University of Ecuador, where he taught labor law and later economics. In 1942, he was appointed as the first dean of the newly established Faculty of Economics, a position he held until 1950. Aguirre was known for his dedication to education and his role in spearheading the Second University Reform movement in Ecuador, advocating for accessible higher education and the elimination of entrance exams and quotas.

His 1973 book Segunda Reforma Universitaria documented and analyzed the goals, principles, and outcomes of the movement, reflecting his commitment to democratizing higher education and the broader political and social changes he championed as rector of the Central University of Ecuador.

As a professor, Aguirre also contributed to various intellectual discussions on Marxism, socialist theory, and economic reform. His influence on the academic community was profound, and he was widely regarded as one of Ecuador’s foremost Marxist theorists. His works, such as Lecciones de Marxismo (1950) and Historia del Pensamiento Económico (1958), remain influential in Latin American Marxist thought.

Political Career and Exile

Aguirre’s political career reached its peak during the revolutionary period following the ousting of President Carlos Alberto Arroyo del Río in 1944. He played a key role in the political upheaval known as the “Glorious Revolution” and was briefly part of the provisional government that succeeded Arroyo del Río. Aguirre was a vice president of the Constituent Assembly of 1945 and actively participated in drafting Ecuador’s new constitution.

However, his involvement in leftist politics also led to persecution. In 1946, following a coup led by José María Velasco Ibarra, Aguirre was exiled to Peru and later to Chile. He returned to Ecuador in 1946 but remained a target of political repression. Despite these challenges, Aguirre continued his involvement in political activism and intellectual discourse, founding the Partido Socialista Revolucionario (PSRE) in 1963.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1969, Aguirre became rector of the Universidad Central del Ecuador, where he pushed for further academic reforms. His tenure was cut short by the dictatorship of José María Velasco Ibarra in 1970, during which Aguirre was imprisoned for several months. Despite the political repression he faced, Aguirre remained a key figure in Ecuadorian intellectual and political life until his death.

Manuel Agustín Aguirre passed away on September 15, 1992, in Quito, Ecuador, at the age of 89. He left behind a rich legacy as a poet, academic, and political leader, remembered for his contributions to Marxist theory in Ecuador and Latin America, as well as for his tireless advocacy for the working class.

Timeline of Important Events and Accomplishments

1903 – Early Life

July 12, 1903: Manuel Agustín Aguirre is born in Loja, Ecuador.
1915: Becomes orphaned at the age of 12 after the death of his father, Captain Agustín Aguirre. His mother, Antonia Ríos, supports the family through manual labor.

1915-1931 – Education and Early Political Involvement

1915-1921: Attends Colegio Bernardo Valdivieso in Loja, where he develops an interest in literature, influenced by his teacher Clodoveo Jaramillo Alvarado.
1921: Graduates from secondary school and begins studying jurisprudence at the Universidad Nacional de Loja.
1925: Founds the socialist cell “La Vanguardia” with fellow students, marking his entry into socialist politics.
1926: Joins the founding congress of the Ecuadorian Socialist Party (PSE).
1928-1931: Transfers to the Central University of Ecuador, completing his law degree while engaging in political activism.
1931: Publishes his first book of poetry, Poemas Automáticos, and marries Teresa Borrero Riofrío.

1932-1943 – Political Rise and Academic Career

1932-1935: Works in Loja as a journalist, penal lawyer, and legal advocate, becoming active in local socialist circles.
1935: Publishes his second poetry collection, Llamada de los Proletarios, reflecting his deepening political commitments.
1938-1940: Begins teaching labor law and economics at the Central University of Ecuador. He is also active as a journalist and writer.
1942: Appointed the first dean of the newly established Faculty of Economics at the Central University of Ecuador.

1944-1950 – Revolution and Political Influence

May 28, 1944: Participates in the “Glorious Revolution” that overthrows President Carlos Arroyo del Río.
August 1944: Elected Vice President of the Constituent Assembly, playing a key role in drafting Ecuador’s 1945 Constitution.
1944: Publishes Pies Desnudos, his third poetry collection.
1946: Exiled after the coup led by José María Velasco Ibarra and remains abroad until his return later that year.

1950-1963 – Marxist Works and Party Leadership

1950: Publishes Lecciones de Marxismo, his most important work on Marxist theory.
1952: Publishes Revolución Burguesa o Revolución Proletaria para América Latina y el Ecuador, further outlining his political theories.
1958: Publishes Historia del Pensamiento Económico, an influential work in Latin American Marxist thought.
1961-1963: Serves as Vice Rector of the Central University of Ecuador.
1963: Co-founds the Revolutionary Socialist Party (PSRE) after a split within the Ecuadorian Socialist Party.

1969-1979 – Second University Reform and Repression

1969: Elected Rector of the Central University of Ecuador, where he leads the Second University Reform, advocating for free access to higher education and university democratization.
1970: Deposed from the rectorate and imprisoned for three months during the dictatorship of José María Velasco Ibarra.
1973: Publishes Segunda Reforma Universitaria, documenting the reform movement he led.

1980-1992 – Later Years and Legacy

1979: Opposes the Plan de Retorno, criticizing the Ecuadorian political establishment for undemocratic practices.
1981: Publishes El Trabajo Doméstico y la Doble Explotación de la Mujer en el Capitalismo, addressing issues of gender and labor exploitation.
1985: Publishes Marx ante América Latina.
1987: Publishes Universidad y Movimientos Estudiantiles, focusing on the role of students in social change.

Death

September 15, 1992: Dies in Quito, Ecuador, at the age of 89, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of Ecuador’s most important Marxist theorists, educators, and political leaders.

Selected Works

Poemas automáticos (1931)
Llamada de los proletarios (1935)
Pies desnudos (1943)
Socialismo científico (1949)
América Latina y el Ecuador (¿Revolución burguesa o revolución proletaria?) (1952)
Historia del pensamiento económico (1958)
El Che Guevara: Aspectos económicos y políticos de su pensamiento (1968)
Imperialismo y militarismo en América Latina (1969)
Dos sistemas dos mundos (1972)
Segunda Reforma Universitaria (1973)
La masacre del 15 de noviembre y sus enseñanzas (1978)
El trabajo doméstico y la doble explotación de la mujer en el capitalismo (1981)
Marx ante América Latina (1985)
Los mitos y Marx (1985)
Universidad y movimientos estudiantiles (1987)

References

Wikipedia, “Manuel Agustín Aguirre” Retrieved on October 13, 2024. Click to view.
Enciclopedia del Ecuador, “Dr. Manuel Agustín Aguirre” Retrieved on October 13, 2024. Click to view.
Rodolfoperezpimentel.com, “Agustín Aguirre Manuel” Retrieved on October 13, 2024. Click to view.
Ecured, “Manuel Agustín Aguirre” Retrieved on October 13, 2024. Click to view.
MCN Biografías, “Aguirre, Manuel Agustín” Retrieved on October 13, 2024. Click to view.