Social Mood and Peru: Will It Follow the Same (Shining) Path as El Salvador and Argentina?

The article analyzes Peru's current political instability through the lens of social mood theory, which posits that collective emotional states drive societal actions independently of specific events. It highlights Peru's recent history of frequent presidential impeachments, widespread protests led mainly by young people, and rising violence, linking these to long-term negative social mood trends measured by the Dow/gold ratio. Drawing parallels with El Salvador and Argentina, the article suggests Peru may be moving toward authoritarianism similar to President Nayib Bukele's approach, especially as interim President José Jerí enacts emergency security measures. Historical patterns in Peru show that periods of political and economic crisis often coincide with downturns in social mood, indicating that current unrest may presage further instability.