Peruvian Society II Dictatorship and Democracy

Peruvian Society
(An Ocasional Series)

These articles are not written from a superior attitude which despises Peruvian society. If they are critical, it is the criticism of someone who is trying to understand and then to explain, what he has observed as a foreigner living in Peru. As such, they are a humble attempt to explain matters to outsiders from the point of view of an outsider who has had the privilege of “insider” knowledge.

They are not the product of profound reading, but of simple observation, and are personal reflections from an Evangelical perspective and with application to evangelicalism in Peru. All that is said in them should be seen in this light.

II Dictatorship and Democracy

Democracy is said to be a recent development in Peru and perhaps to be still fragile. Yet at one level it is very deep in society. Communities in the countryside and neighbourhood associations in the cities have constant assemblies to debate everything imaginable, from the distribution of land for this year’s sewing, to having electricity and water installed in new areas of the constantly growing cities.

Everyone must participate in constant elections and referendums. It is obligatory to vote in municipal, regional, national and presidential elections, and there are heavy fines for non-participation. However, after a couple of months these are usually revoked.

Political leaders of all persuasions must of necessity be populist in their promises. Even the most serious politicians, including two ex-presidents had to put on shows and personally dance as integral parts of their election campaigns.

Until recently Peruvians made the mistake of actually believing all the promises which politicians made, no mater how extravagant. Obviously bitter disappointment and disillusionment followed, until the next “messianic” figure appeared on the scene with a new programme and a new party, and the promise of changing the world.

Another reaction was to see the whole state as corrupt and oppressive, and work for its overthrow. Thus the terrorist movement, “Shining Path” was “Gang of Four” Maoists who wished to put the calendar back to zero and start again.

However, despite the democratic rhetoric of many, when they came to power they looked after themselves and their party members, or even their own family in some cases, first. Most ex-presidents face accusations of corruption and anti-constitutionalism as a matter of course.

Whilst some have worked hard to improve society and the economy, the general feeling of the people is that, if they personally are not corrupt, then their families and close political allies certainly are.

Again, despite all the democratic talk and the detestation of dictatorship, many former dictators (mainly military) are often admired for their achievements. Whilst democracy debates every issue from every angle, dictatorship does things.

Once again this is reflected in Evangelical churches, where sadly often the pastor and his friends and family control everything, including the money or even the title deeds to church property, and give account to no one for anything they do. The authority of the pastor, based on his exposition of the Word of God, is often replaced by the authority of his office in itself, or even in that of his forceful personality. The sheep of Christ either suffer in silence (and often resentment) or find another leader and split the congregation to go off and form a new church two streets, or less, away and are soon accepted by all as a true church. No wonder the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima described Evangelical churches as “a few insignificant people meeting at the corner of a street”. Compared to that, Roman Catholicism has a history and seriousness not to be ignored.