Recent Events in Peru: Interview with Anibal Quijano

Abstract

Q. The reformist program implemented by the Peruvian military regime completes its fourth year in October, 1972. What have been the effects of the program? Can it be said that, beyond all the rhetoric and publicity, this reform program has had important effects in the economic and political sphere? If so, what are the program's most relevant effects? A. During its first period, which ran approximately from October 1968 to mid-1971, the military government's role was that of a pretentious arbitrator between conflicting classes. The government enacted measures of a multi-class nature, oriented toward a limited, ineffective form of nationalism. More and more, the military regime has been revealing its actual class content, to the point where this year it is openly coordinating its policies with the most advanced sectors of the native bourgeoisie and the advisory groups of the imperialist bourgeoisie. The most important measures in the economic sector this year are definitely of bourgeois content, which explains the increasing agreements with imperialist investment and finance, as well as the stepped-up repression against popular sectors.This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website, where most recent articles are published in full.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.