Political and economic watchers have been keeping an eye on what will happen in Argentina after President Kirchner steps down after elections later this year. Their high hopes haven taken a hit this week.

Argentina’s cow prices are soaring. Greens may applaud the shrinking size of the Argentinian cattle herd, but this is no win for the country’s flailing economy.

By demonstrating the costs of economic quackery, Argentina and Venezuela do more for the cause of global capitalism than the Koch brothers could ever dream of.

Inflation is rising, capital is fleeing, and strikes, looting, riots and blackouts are spreading. 2013 did not end well for Argentina, but 2014 could be even worse. President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has a date with the US Supreme Court, which could deliver Kirchnerismo a knockout blow.