The "ac" code is for "adequacy-confidence"--a
data
quality measure ranging from 0 (low) to 9
(high)
Party name and code number
Peruvian Popular Aaction Party,
374
Accion Popular, AP
Institutionalization Variables,
1.01-1.06
1.01 Year of Origin and 1.02 Name
Changes
1956, AC9
0, AC9
The Accion Popular party was founded at the
time of Belaunde's first candidacy for president in 1956. The
party was probably formed prior to the elections of that year,
although it did not begin its extensive effort of organization
until 1957, after Belaunde's defeat. The AP did not change its
name during our time period. The party's name was chosen by its
founder and leader, Fernando Belaunde Terry.
1.03 Organizational
Discontinuity
0, AC3
The AP did not experience a split or merger
during our time period. The party's coalition with the PDC in 1963
does not constitute a merger. A major split did occur in 1962 when
the newly elected legislature convened. On the first day,
thirty-four legislators, elected as candidates of the AP,
renounced their party. Since a military coup occurred the very
next day, and the legislature did not reconvene, and since these
legislators supposedly rejoined the AP party prior to the 1963
elections, this split will not influence our code.
1.04 Leadership Competition
2, AC5
Fernando Belaunde Terry, who founded and
named the Accion Popular party, remained the party's leader
throughout the remainder of our time period. Our low
adequacy-confidence code reflects the assumption that Belaunde was
the party's legitimate leader, as well as its effective
one.
1.05 Legislative Instability
Instability is 1.04, AC6
The popular action party displayed
considerable instability in its legislative representation. Of
course it could claim no seats before 1956. Thereafter, its
legislative representation fluctuated from 4 to 33 percent of the
seats.
1.06 Electoral Instability
Instability is .41, AC9
Excluding the 1950 uncontested election of
Odria before the AP was founded, Fernando Belaunde was the Accion
Popular candidate for the presidency in the three presidential
elections, 1956, 1962, and 1963. The party consistently received
approximately one-third of the vote in each of the three
elections, with the highest mark of 39 percent sufficient for
victory in 1963.
Governmental Status Variables,
2.01-2.07
2.01 Government Discrimination
0 for 1956-63, AC5
Excluding the military government of
1962-63, the government apparently did not discriminate against or
in favor of the AP during the bulk of our time period.
2.02 Governmental Leadership
1 out of 8 for 1956-63, AC9
The position of President of Peru was held
by General Odria during the first half of our time period, and by
Prado of the MDP from 1956 to 1962. A military dictatorship ruled
after the 1962 coup of President Prado. Elections were held in
1963, and Belaunde of the AP assumed the presidency.
2.03 Cabinet Participation
1 out of 8 for 1956-63, AC9
The AP party probably held no cabinet
positions prior to 1963. In 1963, President Belaunde awarded
cabinet posts to members of his party, the AP. The PDC, a
coalition partner, also received some cabinet posts.
2.04 National Participation
6 for 1956-63, AC5
The AP party, although strongest in the
central highlands of Peru, competes nationally. Its success is
rather uniform across regions. The party is weakest in the north,
traditionally an APRA stronghold. A 1968 survey showed AP support
to deviate an average of 4.3 percentage points from the population
distribution in four regions--eastern jungles, coast, highlands,
and Lima.
2.05 Legislative Strength
Strength is .13 for 1956-63,
AC6
The popular action party displayed
considerable instability in its legislative representation. Of
course it could claim no seats before 1956. Thereafter, its
legislative representation fluctuated from 4 to 33 percent of the
seats.
2.06 Electoral Strength
Strength is .36 for 1956-63,
AC9
Excluding the 1950 uncontested election of
Odria before the AP was founded, Fernando Belaunde was the Accion
Popular candidate for the presidency in the three presidential
elections, 1956, 1962, and 1963. The party consistently received
approximately one-third of the vote in each of the three
elections, with the highest mark of 39 percent sufficient for
victory in 1963.
2.07 Outside Origin
6, AC5
The AP party was formed in 1956 by Belaunde
and his followers. Belaunde was an architect from a socially
respected family of Arequipa. Many of his followers and
co-founders were apparently educated professionals.
Issue Orientation Variables, 5.01-5.15
5.01 Ownership of Means of
Production
3, AC5
The AP party, although denying accusations
of a policy of nationalization, appears to have favored government
ownership of some basic industries. The Belaunde government of
1963 entered into arbitration with the IPC over the title to the
company's oil fields. The income tax collecting agency was
nationalized by this regime. Belaunde's plans for agrarian reform
included expropriation (probably with compensation) of idle land
and subsequent mortgages to squatter Indians. Edgardo Seone,
Belaunde's advisor on agrarian reform, suggested limited
socialization of farm management where the land is not
expropriated.
5.02 Government Role in Economic
Planning
3, AC5
The AP party advocated government
subsidization of the interior region with highway development and
provision of building equipment. The party proposed government
subsidization of some industries, particularly in this region. The
party wished to speedily develop the region economically in order
to benefit the Indian population and Peru's economy. The Belaunde
government initiated tax reforms, controls over bank credits and
interest payments, and government enlistment of volunteers who,
armed with government tools and supplies, developed the land in
poverty areas of the interior. The regime also manipulated import
duties to control prices. The party apparently advocated an active
government role in the development of sectors of the
economy.
5.03 Redistribution of Wealth
5, AC7
The AP party advocated several measures
which would increase the wealth of the poor, especially the
Indian, and some which would decrease the wealth of Peru's
wealthy. The party desired a redistribution of idle estate land
and the development of interior jungle land for the good of the
Indian. Belaunde, as president, nationalized the income tax
collecting agency, which was owned and operated by bankers who
profited by their enterprise. Edgardo Seone, Belaunde's Vice
President in charge of agrarian reform, advocated profit sharing
by industrial and agrarian workers. The AP party planned, and
Belaunde executed, a program in which the state provides equipment
to local volunteer workers when these citizens desire the aid for
economic development projects.
5.04 Social Welfare
AC2
The AP party probably favored state
promotion of social welfare programs, but information is
insufficient for the purpose of assigning a definitive
code.
5.05 Secularization of Society
AC2
The church and state were separated
constitutionally in Peru. Although most Peruvian parties were
probably favorably disposed towards the catholic church, no
information concerning party policy towards secularization is
evident. The church showed no bias for the AP party despite
references to Belaunde's friendship with Lima's cardinal and his
devout Catholicism.
(24)5.06 Support of the
Military
AC2
The AP party apparently had good relations
with the military. Because APRA's presidential candidate, Dr.
Haya, appeared to have negotiated an alliance with Odria's UNO
following the inconclusive elections of 1962, the military threw
its support behind Belaunde and the AP party. The army took
control of the government and annulled the elections before an
UNO-APRA coalition could assume power. However, information is
insufficient for purposes of coding.
5.07 Alignment with East-West
Blocs
5, AC5
Although the AP party received the support
of Peruvian communists, who were among the party ranks, the AP
party seemed quite friendly towards the united states. The
Belaunde administration accepted u.s. aid and investments. He
regime did dispute the title of IPC (an American firm) oil fields,
but the disagreement was arbitrated. Belaunde did not advocate
withdrawal from the OAS .
5.08 Anti-Colonialism
2, AC5
The AP party stated a desire for foreign
investments. However, its actions against the international
petroleum company suggest that the party, when in power,
discouraged new foreign investment. But our consultant feels that
this overstates the case, for foreign investment increased under
Belaunde and IPC was a special case.
5.09 Supranational Integration
AC1
No information
5.10 National Integration
1, AC7
The AP party advocated government
accommodation of the different regions of Peru. Some
decentralization of authority was included in the plan to allow
the coastal area to continue its "westernization" while the
interior would be aided in its development of a communal, Indian
society. Cultural pluralism was advocated.
5.11 Electoral Participation
1, AC5
The information file does not discuss the
AP position on extension of the franchise. Our consultant says
that its leaders were opposed to further extension of the
franchise according to a 1967 survey of party leaders.
5.12 Protection of Civil Rights
AC1
No information
5.13 Interference with Civil
Liberties
3, AC5
The press was not censored during the
Belaunde administration. It is likely that the AP party opposed
interference with civil liberties.
5.14 / 5.15 US--Soviet Experts Left-Right
Ratings
US says 3, non-communist left
Soviets say 2, the party unifies
representatives of the national bourgeoisie, minor landowners,
middle classes, intelligentsia, working classes, and wealthy
peasanthood.
Goal Orientation Variables, 6.01-6.55
6.00 Open Competition in the Electoral
Process
3, AC7
The AP party relied upon the strategy of
open competition in the electoral process, but the party has
disrupted society on occasion for its own campaign ends. The AP
participated in the national elections of 1956, 1962, and 1963.
Belaunde won the presidential contest in 1963 and ran second in
both previous elections.
6.10 Restricting Party
Competition
0, AC5
The AP party apparently did not attempt to
restrict party competition during our time period. The party
relied upon the strategy of open competition .
6.20 Subverting the Political
System
1, AC7
The AP party is generally not oriented
towards the strategy of subversion. The party, led by the
controversial Belaunde, staged anti- government demonstrations in
1956 and again in 1959. In 1956, Belaunde's protest march demanded
that general Odria allow the AP leader to contest the presidential
elections of that year. The demonstration, violent in attitude and
action, was successful. In 1959, Belaunde was arrested for holding
a party rally illegally. AP members flocked to the streets in
protest, demanding Belaunde's release and the end of the temporary
restrictions on political rallies. In 1962, presidential candidate
Belaunde threatened to overthrow the government should the recent
elections, marred by voting irregularities, not be annulled. The
army coup prevented the revolution. Belaunde won the elections of
1963.
6.30 Propagandizing Ideas and
Program
6.31 0, AC3. The AP party apparently did
not operate any mass media.
6.32 0, AC3. No evidence suggesting the
existence of AP party schools is apparent.
6 .33 1, AC3. The AP party seems to have
passed some resolutions and platforms at its conventions, but this
activity was probably not frequent.
6.34 1, AC3. Belaunde published a book (the
conquest of Peru by Peruvians) outlining some of his (and his
party's) views. The AP and PDC published the "Bases para el Plan
de Gobierno," the position paper of the AP-PDC electoral alliance
of 1963. The AP probably published few other position
papers.
6.50 Providing for Welfare of Party
Members
AC1
No information
Autonomy Variables, 7.01-7.05
7.01 Sources of Funds
6, AC3
The AP party seems to have received funds
from a variety of sources. In 1956, the party claimed little
resources and no financial organization. By the end of our time
period, the party probably received funds from labor, student
groups, business and commercial interests, and
professionals.
7.02 Source of Members
6, AC3
There is little information concerning
party membership. The AP party probably had no membership
requirements. The party drew members from various sectors of
society. Communists were numerous within the party, according to
most sources. Indians, labor, business and commercial interests,
and professional intellectual sectors all contributed to party
membership substantially.
7.03 Sources of Leaders
2 (sectors 03, 04), AC3
The leadership of the AP party apparently
came from the business and professional-intellectual sectors of
Peruvian society. Belaunde was Dean of the Architectual College,
as well as a professional architect. Many of the AP's programs
were authored by successful university graduates.
7.04 Relations with Domestic
Parties
7, AC3
The AP party entered into a coalition with
the PDC in 1963. However, this occurred late in our time period,
and the event will not influence the code. Although the AP
included communists, and the party received the support of the
illegal communist party of Peru, the AP was never in alliance with
the CPP.
7.05 Relations with Foreign
Organizations
5, AC3
There is no evidence suggesting that the AP
party was related in any manner with a foreign
organization.
Organizational Complexity Variables,
8.01-8.07
8.01 Structural Articulation
8, AC5
Four national organs of the AP party can be
identified, a Convention, a Congressional Delegation, a National
Committee, and a Directorate. The selection procedures and
functional responsibilities of these organs are
indeterminate.
8.02 Intensiveness of
Organization
AC2
While the AP party supposedly was highly
organized, no information regarding the intensiveness of
organization is evident.
8.03 Extensiveness of
Organization
AC1
No information
8.04 Frequency of Local
Meetings
AC1
No information
8.05 Frequency of National
Meetings
AC1
No information
8.06 Maintaining Records
AC1
No information
8.07 Pervasiveness of
Organization
0, AC3
There is little information concerning
party socioeconomic penetration . The party probably held little
influence in the independent student front, which included
students who supported the MDP and PDC as well. The Labor Affairs
Bureau of the party was apparently small and
insignificant.
Organizational Power Variables, 9.01-9.08
9.01 Nationalization of
Structure
5, AC6
The AP party organization consisted of an
hierarchy which had a directory at the top, regional committees at
the middle level, and, most probably, local organizations at the
bottom.
9.02 Selecting the National
Leader
8, AC9
The AP was led by Belaunde throughout our
time period. No means of changing leadership is
evident.
9.03 Selecting Parliamentary
Candidates
AC2
Information regarding the selection of
parliamentary candidates is incomplete. Belaunde probably gave his
approval to those who ran as AP candidates.
9.04 Allocating Funds
AC1
No information
9.05 Formulating Policy
7, AC5
Belaunde announced most policy decisions
for the party. Seone, an expert in the area of agrarian reform,
occasionally made announcements in this realm. Policy was probably
determined by Belaunde and his closer associates and
aides.
9.06 Controlling Communications
0, AC3
The AP party evidently controlled no
important communications media at any level.
9.07 Administering Discipline
0, AC4
A reference to the suspension of a party
leader by the AP directorate suggests that this body administered
major disciplinary techniques. This suspension occurred in 1963.
But our consultant advises that there was little party
discipline.
9.08 Leadership Concentration
6, AC5
Belaunde excercised sole leadership of his
personalistic party, the AP . He could commit the party to binding
courses of action at will.
Coherence Variables, 10.01-10.06
10.01 Legislative Cohesion
.50, AC3
The AP party probably demonstrated little
cohesiveness in the legislature. The party appears to have lost
several of its legislators between 1956 and 1962. The revolt of
1962 (see variable 1.03) further supports the impression of an
uncohesive legislative group.
10.02 Ideological Factionalism
5, AC8
The AP party was apparently divided into
several factions. Ideologically, the party included conservatives,
led by Celso Pastor and Oscar Trelles, and radicals, led by Mario
Villavan and including communists and socialists. Several of the
party's radicals were ousted by Belaunde and the Party Directorate
in 1963, and Villavan was suspended.
10.03 Issue Factionalism
AC2
The AP may have been torn by issue
factionalism, but information is scarce. The many factions in the
party probably disagreed on various issues.
10.04 Leadership Factionalism
5, AC3
The majority of AP's membership probably
supported Belaunde with zeal. To them, Belaunde was another
savior. However, a substantial minority of the party merely
accepted his leadership grudgingly. These included communists and
socialists of several orientations.
10.05 Strategic or Tactical
Factionalism
5, AC3
Belaunde's occasional outbursts of
revolutionary furvor were probably due to the influence of AP
radicals, which included a substantial number of communists, who
would support a popular uprising. Most party members opposed this
strategy. Many of these radicals were purged from the party in
1963.
10.06 Party Purges
1 for 1956-63, AC5
The AP party apparently purged itself of
several radical members after its electoral victory in 1963. The
size of the purge was probably small but significant. The purge
reportedly occurred soon after the elections, but it is unclear as
to whether it happened in 1963, as we have assumed, or in
1964.
Involvement Variables, 11.01-11.06
11.01 Membership Requirements
AC1
No information
11.02 Membership Participation
AC1
No information
11.03 Material Incentives
1, AC3
There is no reason to suspect that more
than a minority of militants were motivated by material
incentives.
11.04 Purposive Incentives
1, AC3
The lofty and idealistic programs of the AP
party probably motivated quite a few militants.
11.05 Doctrinism
0, AC3
There is no evidence of AP references to
any written literature in attempts to justify party
activities.
11.06 Personalism
2, AC3
Belaunde's charismatic qualities and
provocative actions probably led to a great deal of personalistic
motivation of militants. Belaunde appears to have been an idol to
many Peruvians. Nominal members were probably affected to a
greater degree.