The warlordism is a phenomenon that is related in Latin America with the decline of the colonial authority. The caudillo is a military leader, a distinctive figure of many countries from the 19th century on.
In Mexico it was the consequence of a collapse in the central government. In Argentina and Brazil it emerged in the 1920s.
Caudillismo was a consequence of the cracks in the state apparatus and the development of mass movements with charismatic leaders.
In the 21st century, caudillos are characterized by control of natural resources and the media.
Origin of the word caudillismo
The word caudillo comes from the Latin diminutive caput which means "head"; that is, "ringleader".
It is the word that identifies in politics the leader, the strong man, the leader in incipient and weak democracies.
Caudillos of all kinds have been presented, with great differences in ideologies. Some examples of caudillos are Pancho Villa, Morazán, Santa Anna, Obregón and Díaz, Juan Manuel de Rosas, Perón, and Trujillo and Stroessner.
To broaden the concept, it can be said that the caudillo exercises leadership based on his personality and charisma conditions. It arises when society lets trust in institutions.
Ancient caudillismo
The base of its power was in the rural areas, where it gained strength and then went to the capital.
For example, this happened with the collapse of the government of Porfirio Díaz in Mexico, at the hands of caudillos.
Also in Mexico the struggles for independence followed one another, led by chiefs who dismantled the colonial structure.
The typical caudillo was the small farmer or agricultural merchant transformed into a triumphant general.
Furthermore, his essential quality was the charisma that made him seem providential or out of the ordinary.
In this way it achieves the domination and support of the people and its men. The sustenance of the charism is emotional, based on faith and trust; it is not rational.
He always made people believe that he was called to a higher and divine mission practically. Without him, everything would be chaos.
Every revolution has a charismatic leader. But when the caudillo disappears, his charisma is not inherited, there is no continuity beyond his life, which is what sustains the system.
The caudillos on many occasions became dictators. Their thousands of followers gave them access to power.
Postmodern caudillismo
The new social and economic pressures have given way to the most modern caudillos. They come from the military body and are based on organized military power for their maintenance and permanence in power.
However, they speak with the public constantly and promise to solve all problems once and for all.
In addition, they speak with passion and without intermediaries, addressing popular interests. An example is the Argentine Juan Domingo Perón.
They remain in power for many years and govern in a paternalistic way, accumulate wealth and use their position for their own enrichment. Finally, history shows that his departure is always forced.
References
- P. Castro (2007) Caudillismo in Latin America, yesterday and today. 12/17/2017. Politics and Culture. scielo.org.mx
- KH Silvert, «Caudillismo», International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences (eiss) : Madrid, 1976, volume 2, p. 223.
- FJ Moreno, «Caudillismo: An interpretation of its Origins in Chile», in FJ Moreno and B. Mitriani (eds.), Conflict and Violence in Latin American Politics: New York, Crowell, 1971, pp. 38–39.
- Ian Roxborough, «The urban working class and the labor movement in Latin America since 1930», in Leslie Bethell (ed.), History of Latin America: 12, politics and society since 1930: Barcelona, Crítica, Grijalbo – Mondadori, 1997, p. 164.
- John, Pilger "America's new enemy," New Statesman: November 14, 2005, p. 14.