One of the debates in the field of social sciences in Peru refers to the characteristics or nature of the ruling class. Today, despite the criticism, the use of the term "oligarchy" is the most common. Two recent publications persist in using that term, and have reintroduced an old argument in the current debate. Sociologist Henry Pease (1977) notes that the State "was directly controlled by a closed oligarchy where agricultural exporters had hegemony. They imposedtheir terms of foreign conduct until the 30's without question" (Pease, 1977: 217).

In the last few months, the anguish of the peoples of the provinces to find a solution to the problems derived from the current Lima centralism has been clearly seen. The different assemblies and popular fronts in the departments of Loreto, Cusco, Ayacucho, etc., are social manifestations of a problem in the constitution and nature of Peruvian society.