The APRA: Religion Ang Popular Legitimacy, 1923-1945

Abstract

José Carlos Mariátegui accused the youth of the post-war to have fallen prey to a "messianic feeling" in their efforts to make a new historic mission, and in particular, noted Victor Raul Haya de la Torre for his “messianic sermons”. However, it was not a sober and analytical Mariátegui who dominated Peruvian politics during the critical decades of the '30s to the '50s, but the "messianic” Haya de la Torre and APRA. Many studies have been limited to analyzing the historical development,  ideological and social origins of the APRA party, but without sufficient attention to factors not strictly "ideological" in their training, such as the impressive mastery of pop psychology that has characterized the performance public Haya de la Torre and other APRA leaders. However, it is clear that the APRA party owes its popular roots and its longevity not only ideology but also in large part to its ability to absorb, channel select and feelings and myths based on a partisan cause.