In the Same Spirit. Looking for Political Legitimacy: Conservative Christian Alliances in Contemporary Peru

Rivera P.B.; Lecaros V. · International Journal of Latin American Religions (2025) · DOI: 10.1007/s41603-025-00322-8

Resumen

The relationship between religion and politics in recent decades has seen new actors, new strategies, and new objectives. In a global scenario marked by the empowerment of the political far right and the decline of democracy, the emergence of authoritarian religious leaders in politics stands out. In the last decade, this phenomenon has been evident in several Latin American countries, including Peru. This study analyzes the relationship between the political and religious fields, emphasizing the convergence of Catholic and Evangelical actors whose practices and discourses seem to be driven by the same "spirit." Although the roots of such relationships lie in the 1990s, this study focuses on the last decade. Faced with a severe political crisis and deep distrust of social institutions, far-right political leaders seek to regain legitimacy in the religious sphere, whose institutions are the only ones that still have significant credibility. Conservative religious authoritarianism in Peruvian politics has a serious impact on the weakening of democracy. This article examines this phenomenon of de-democratization linked to the erosion of fundamental elements of classical democracy. Theological resources and technical effects of new media are reviewed to understand their effect on transforming political adversaries into illegitimate "enemies." The study considers the importance of religion for the majority of the population, the specific weight of Catholics and Evangelicals, and the effect of the recent election of Pope Leo XIV on the balance of power—progressives versus conservatives—in Catholic leadership. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.

Instituciones: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú