More than middle class at the turn of the twentieth century. Downright wealthy. They have art museums filled with fantastic art of that period.
Argentina is still wealthy or should be. They have the richest farm land in the world, 100% literacy rate, self sufficient in natural gas, favored port. It's like Kansas with good weather and ocean access.
I'll respect the no politics pledge of this forum, but the Argentines must be the most politically inept people in the world. Right Wing, Left Wing, it doesn't matter. The only thing you can count on is incompetence.
I came home with a much better appreciation of professional politicians as a sheer nuts and bolts kind of skill.