Bicentennial Generation: youth movements against former President Merino

Abstract

This article studies, from the universe of identity and social movements, the leading role played by young
Peruvians known as the Bicentennial Generation against the swearing-in of the then president of the
Republic, Manuel Merino, in November 2020. In this context of citizen movements, we identify their main
generational characteristics, ideological stances and modes of protest. We also address the way in which they define themselves in order to elaborate a conceptual approach to themselves as a social movement.
The research is of a mixed approach and exploratory level. In this regard, a survey was applied to 380
Peruvians over 18 years of age, most of them from Generation Y and Z. The results show a greater activism
of women; a little partisan linkage with traditional political proposals; and the use of resources such as marches, cacerolazos and social networks. On the other hand, we identified acts of solidarity such as the mobilization of demonstrators in cars, donations to brigades, placement of posters on the
facades of their homes or the use of Andean music instruments on public streets. We conclude that the
Bicentennial Generation demystifies the disinterest of young people in political issues and organizes to
defend democracy through two types of demonstrators: pro-democracy and anti-corruption.