Shattered Peruvian flag symbolizing democratic collapse.

Peru's Political Earthquake: How Fujimori's Coup Shook Democracy and What We Can Learn From It

Lena Voss in Politics & Policy June 2025 • 3 min read.

"Uncover the collapse of Peru's party system under Fujimori's authoritarian rule and its lasting impact on Latin American politics."

In the 1990s, a significant concern arose within Peruvian academia regarding the relevance of political parties as mediating institutions between the state and society. The weakening of these parties is viewed as a key factor contributing to a democratic crisis, impacting mechanisms for participation and representation within a democratic framework.

The decline of political parties manifests as a continuum, beginning with electoral realignment and culminating in the successful emergence of outsiders. This trajectory indicates a profound crisis of political representation that challenges the very persistence of the party system.

Peru's experience has garnered substantial attention from social scientists, both within the country and internationally, due to the early collapse of its party system. This collapse offers a critical case study for understanding the vulnerabilities of democratic institutions and the rise of authoritarianism in Latin America.

The Crisis of Representation and the Rise of Fujimori

Shattered Peruvian flag symbolizing democratic collapse.

The crisis of representation in Peru was characterized by a decline in voter identification with traditional parties, leading to increased electoral volatility and high rates of abstention. This was further exacerbated by the weakening of party structures and their inability to effectively channel citizen participation.

Alberto Fujimori's rise to power was not an isolated event, but rather the culmination of a series of interconnected factors:

The weakening of traditional political parties.
A crisis of political representation.
Exploitation of popular discontent with the established order.
Strategic use of authoritarian measures to consolidate power.

Fujimori's government implemented a series of measures to consolidate power, including: closing Congress, intervening in the judicial system, and creating a network of informal institutions to bypass legal and constitutional constraints. These actions undermined the foundations of Peruvian democracy, leading to a period of authoritarian rule that had lasting consequences for the country's political landscape.

Lessons from Peru's Democratic Erosion

The story of Peru's democratic collapse serves as a reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding them. The erosion of political parties, the crisis of representation, and the allure of authoritarian solutions are challenges that many countries continue to face. By understanding the factors that contributed to Peru's democratic breakdown, we can work to strengthen democratic resilience and prevent similar outcomes elsewhere.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.2139/ssrn.2194878, Alternate LINK

Title: Golpe De Estado, Colapso Del Sistema De Partidos Y Legitimidad Autoritaria Durante El Gobierno De Fujimori (Coup D'Etat, Collapse Of The Party System And Authoritarian Legitimacy Of Fujimori'S Government)

Journal: SSRN Electronic Journal

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: José Manuel Mejía Villena, Rodrigo Valdivia

Published: 2012-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What factors contributed to the academic concern about the role of political parties in Peru during the 1990s?

In the 1990s, Peruvian academia identified a weakening of political parties as key intermediaries between the state and society. This decline led to a crisis in democratic participation and representation. Social scientists worldwide have studied Peru due to the early collapse of its party system, using it as a case study for understanding vulnerabilities in democratic institutions and the rise of authoritarianism in Latin America.

How did the decline of political parties manifest in Peru, leading to a crisis of representation?

The erosion of political parties manifested as a decline in voter identification with traditional parties, increased electoral volatility, and high rates of abstention. The weakening of party structures hindered effective citizen participation, leading to a profound crisis of political representation that challenged the party system's persistence.

What interconnected factors facilitated Alberto Fujimori's rise to power?

Alberto Fujimori rose to power due to several interconnected factors: the weakening of traditional political parties, a crisis of political representation, exploitation of popular discontent with the established order, and the strategic use of authoritarian measures. Fujimori's government consolidated power by closing Congress, intervening in the judicial system, and creating informal institutions to bypass legal and constitutional constraints, undermining Peruvian democracy.

What specific measures did Fujimori's government undertake to consolidate power, and how did these actions impact Peruvian democracy?

Fujimori's government implemented measures to consolidate power, including closing Congress, intervening in the judicial system, and creating a network of informal institutions to bypass legal and constitutional constraints. These actions undermined the foundations of Peruvian democracy, leading to a period of authoritarian rule with lasting consequences for the country's political landscape. The closure of Congress effectively silenced the opposition, while intervention in the judiciary ensured that the government's actions faced little legal challenge. The creation of informal institutions allowed Fujimori to bypass established legal and constitutional norms, further entrenching his power and undermining the rule of law.

What key lessons can be learned from Peru's democratic erosion to prevent similar outcomes in other countries?

Peru's democratic collapse teaches the fragility of democratic institutions. The erosion of political parties, the crisis of representation, and the allure of authoritarian solutions are challenges that many countries face. Understanding the factors that contributed to Peru's democratic breakdown can strengthen democratic resilience and prevent similar outcomes. This includes fostering robust civil society organizations, promoting political education to enhance citizen engagement, and ensuring that democratic institutions are accountable and responsive to the needs of the population.