He also repudiated political clientelism, a practice that has characterized most governments, including Kirchner's.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: The meaning of Kirchner's recent defeat

The BBC's Mark Lowen in Athens says the Greek political class has long been perceived as "untouchable", although plagued by scandals and clientelism.

BBC: Greek ex-mayor jailed for life for embezzlement

As this survey has argued, Argentina's underlying challenge is to create a society ruled by law rather than by corruption, clientelism and populism.

ECONOMIST: Argentina needs to look for models in the right places

Latin American traditions of populism, clientelism, corporatism and corruption may ultimately be weakened by economic reform, but they are not immediately eliminated by it.

ECONOMIST: The slow road to reform