How and why do leaders in Latin America rise to power through charisma and populist ideals? What are the causes that lead up to their rise and how do they maintain it? 
Notes and ideas included 

PaperProposal.docx

In times of political and economic crisis, charismatic politicians are able to rise to higher status through promises of economic prosperity. One such politician was Juan Peron, former president of Argentina. Peron gained massive popularity in Argentina during his rule, and even after his death, his political party still functions under his name. I want to explore how and why people like Peron are able to captivate people so well and how a country’s instability can push people to support highly controversial and polarizing figures.
I hypothesize that personalistic leaders like Juan Peron are able to gain majority public support and create large-scale class mobilization because they capitalize on the lack of trust the general public feels for their government. Peron utilized his connections and cult of personality to gain power, and his tight grip on the Argentine people was a direct result of the disenchantment and anger felt by the people due to economic and governmental instability.
Starting outline:
– Overview of the political lead up to Peron getting elected
– Detailing his time in power and actions he took
– Looking at his sphere of influence
– How he rose to power
– Defining the major factors in his win
– How did the public respond to his leadership vs. the government
– The state he left the country in after his leadership
– Looking at the Peron Party in Argentina today

Peronism in Argentina
Lula/ Bolsonaro in Brazil
APRA in Peru

Cult of personality

What is the lead up to Peronism, APRA and Bolsonaro? Instability in what way?

Proposal: When the middle class is ignored within unstable countries, the chances of a cult-like leader rising up politically becomes more likely.

I want to explore how and why people like Peron and Haya de la Torre are able to captivate people so well, how a country’s instability can push people to support a polarizing figure.

Outline Full:

Introduction

Background information on Juan Peron and his rise to power in Argentina
Brief overview of your hypothesis and research questions
Thesis statement
II. The Political Lead-Up to Peron’s Election

Overview of the political climate in Argentina prior to Peron’s election
Key events and factors that led to Peron’s rise to power
III. Peron’s Time in Power

Description of Peron’s political agenda and actions during his time in office
Analysis of his economic policies and their effects on the Argentine people
Examination of his influence on various sectors of society, including labor unions, the military, and the middle class
IV. The Cult of Personality

Definition of the concept of the cult of personality
Explanation of how Peron used his charisma and personal connections to gain power
Discussion of the ways in which Peron’s personality cult impacted Argentine society
V. The Legacy of Peronism

Overview of the Peronist Party in Argentina today
Analysis of the ongoing impact of Peronism on Argentine politics and society
VI. The Rise of Personalistic Leaders in Latin America

Comparison of Peronism to other personalistic movements in Latin America, such as APRA in Peru and Lula/Bolsonaro in Brazil
Discussion of the factors that have led to the rise of personalistic leaders in these countries
Analysis of how economic and political instability contribute to the appeal of these leaders
VII. Conclusion

Recap of main points
Implications of the research for understanding the dynamics of political leadership and social movements in Latin America
Suggestions for future research

In times of political and economic crisis, charismatic politicians are able to rise to higher status through promises of economic prosperity. In Latin America, the same charismatic leader can be found in several politicians: Juan Peron of Argentina, Victor Raul Haya de la Torre of Peru and Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil. All three politicians rose to power during volatile times in their respective countries through capitalizing on citizens’ fear, distrust of the government and desire for better economic times. Peron was a former president of Argentina who came into power through the military coup of 1943 and maintained power through 1955 and again in 1973 due to his immense popularity with the Argentine working class. Torre was a politician who founded the American Popular Revolutionary Alliance political movement in 1924 while in political exile. Determined to make APRA a pan- Latin American movement, he pushed anti-oligarchal and anti-imperialist ideals when he formed the Aprista political party when he returned to Peru in 1930. Finally, Jair Bolsonaro is a politician who served as Brazil’s 38th president from 2019 to 2022. His influence has led to his former party (the Social Liberal Party) shifting ideologies into a nationalist, anti-communist and conservative party. After leaving this party, he went on to become a key figure

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