This week’s readings were about the rise of populism in Latin American society. Populist politics focuses on appealing to the ordinary masses. It strives to put normal citizens at the forefront of politics rather than being an afterthought to the elite. In a modern society, populism is often considered a negative form of politics because of the appeal to extremist groups like white supremacists.

However, in the primary sources from this week it is clear that the rise of populism is a very necessary and vital part of Latin American progression because of the long divided past that had shadowed LA politics up until now. From the ‘discovery’ to the ‘liberal’ politics of LA, these had always played out short in creating a voice for the normal people living in LA. It made the majority turn against each other based on class, gender and race in order to destabilise the power that they could have been capable of.

In the primary sources, the speakers come across as the opposite to the former leaders that have been prevalent in the primary sources. For example, Porfino Díaz who promised a free regime under a dictatorial – style compared to The Peronist Version of the Speech’ in Document 7.2. Where the speaker calls for a new and advanced style of LA society. Putting the ‘slavery’ and segregation behind them so they can live a more hopeful and just life.

The importance of the primary sources being in the form of speeches, illustrates the impact that populist politics had on LA society. An important part is that the speakers are a variety of different people, for example Elita. Previously, a woman being considered such a big inspiration would have been unthinkable because of the segregation that they experienced in the past societies. This acceptance of marginalised speakers creates a powerful sense of progression in Latin American society. The speakers would be relating to everyone in the crowd and would create the sense of national identity that these big events created. They forged a sense of community that had not been as prevalent in the past.