1. The Shining Path of Peru (Sendero)

2. To fully appropriate the Sendero phenomenon it is necessary to understand the larger historical context of Peru Key among the factors shaping the political culture of Peru is the almost 300 years of Spanish colonial rule-- >Peru did not break with colonial past until 1824 The main elements of Spanish control were authoritarian political institutions and mercantilist economic institutions-->First civilian president elected in 1872 & Britain replaces Spain as key source of capital and investment

4. 1879-1883: The War of the Pacific Chile gains coastal territory from Peru (nitrate deposits) Peru left bankrupt-->ever more dependent on Britain (Britain encouraged weak state and emphasis on FDI) Large percentage of population not integrated into cultural, political or economic life-- >Constitution of 1979 gives illiterates-- predominantly Indian--the right to vote

5. Political history can be divided into the following periods: 1. Consolidation (1824-1895) 2. Limited civilian democracy (1895-1919) 3. Populist and mass parties (1919-1968) 4. Reformist military rule (1968-1980) 5. Fully participatory formal democracy (1980- 1992) 6. Authoritarian democratic combination (1992- 2000) 7. Fully participatory formal democracy (2001- Present)

6. The Civilian Docenio (1980-1992) AP and PPC form a coalition-->Belaunde heads government Inflation increased from 60% in 1980 to 100% by 1984 GDP declined by 10% in 1983 World market prices for Peruvian commodities remained low throughout the early 1980s Foreign debt rises from $8.4 billion in 1980 to $13 billion in 1985  new IMF loan

7. Growing Violence Growing violence associated with Shining Path (launched "people's war" in May of 1980 Originally based in Ayacucho  Headed by professors and students at University of Humanga Marxist-Leninist-->Mao and Carlos Mariategui (leading Peruvian intellectual 1920s) Government slow to respond (3 years) By 1985 6,000 people dead 1,700 "disappeared" in 1983-84 alone

8. Crisis By 1985 Belaunde government is weak Marxist United Left Part wins 23% of the national vote, APRA (populist and center-right) wins-->Alan Garcia heads the government (1st time in 40 years civilian president hands over paper to an elected successor Garcia suspends all foreign debt repayments  credit dries up. Inflation rises to 1,722% in 1988, 2,600% in 1989, 7,650% in 1990 Economy shrinks by 20% from 1988-1990 20,000 causalities and $14 billion in damages during under the Garcia government

9. Election of 1990 National Agrarian University rector Alberto Fujimori enters the race (viewed as the outsider) beats Vargas Llosa Shining Path kills over 100 candidates in the run up to the election  25% of provisional/district councils cannot carry out the election Fujimori argues that economy must be set straight first-->Shock Therapy--> policies to curb inflation push poverty rate to 70% Favorable opinion remains high By 1992 inflation is reduced sharply (134% in 1991) Military having some success with Shining Path Fujimori calls for "temporary suspension" of democracy in Peru Congress dissolved Shining Path expands violent activities

10. The Shining Path

11. The SP was ideological (Maoism)--> 19 semi- feudal revolution, violence as a strategy and experience, one truth, (Chinese Cultural Revolution is an inspiration) Origins based in Ayacucho: poor, isolated, indigenous Movement largely made up of the first generation top attend the university Top down, authoritarian vision: local unions and civil society groups seen as the enemy

13. Failure of the political center in Peru The rise of the SP is a function of the failure of the political center in Peru Reformist governments carry out land reform but refuse to bring indigenous communities into positions of leadership Students grew frustrated by their perceived inability to use education to improve social/economic conditions Nearly impossible to separate coca production from guerrilla problem (65 of all coca leaf used in cocaine manufacture is in Upper Huallaga Valley) U.S. War on Drugs pushes farmers into hands of SP

14. SP Actions Early actions include: killing local elected leaders, cheating husbands, cattle thieves, wealthy shopkeepers, and the establishment of communal farming programs SP realizes they cannot win unless they gain support from urban labor Lima becomes site of increased activity after 1983 Urban activity: kill key political figures, organize strikes, fund soup kitchens, discredit existing social service organizations, land invasions, industrial terrorism, cut off water, electricity and food to Lima

15. Enter Fujimori Fujimori steps up assault on SP Close links to right-wing paramilitary groups throughout term—legalized self-defense squads and Army supplies them with shotguns Charged with "disappearance" of 67 university students Villages deemed supportive of the SP wiped out Human Rights Watch 69,280 people killed by government or government supported forces