The Ideology of Shining Path

Is it possible to understand Sendero Luminoso? In public discourse, Sendero is usually seen as something indefinable, a deranged and irrational group. Others have explained Sendero as the product of a structural and persistent violence that afflicts Peruvian society. Both positions are unsatisfactory. Conceiving of Sendero as a simple group of madmen denies that we are dealing with trajectories that need to be explained in order to be expressed and rejected. On the other hand, understanding Sendero Luminoso as a natural consequence of pre-existing social conditions does not allow us to see the unique characteristics of the bloodiest terrorist group in Latin America. In this month's featured topic for November, we will attempt to approach the Sendero phenomenon by analyzing its discourse and its context. Published on November 28, 2006.