A construção histórica da imagem político-social de Ronaldo José da Cunha Lima em Campina Grande - (1959-1968).

Abstract

This work intends to analyze the formation of Ronaldo José da Cunha Lima’s cultural and political image in Campina Grande/PB, between 1959 and 1968. Based on the problematization, we sought to understand the predominance of the political power of the 'Cunha Lima' family, built next to Campina Grande society. For this purpose, it was necessary to use a variety of sources, such as newspapers, images, bibliographical contributions as well as Ronaldo's own literature production. From these documents, we investigated and problematized the social, cultural and political constitution of Ronaldo Cunha Lima in face of urban changes, his appearances in institutional places of power, his actions with the general public aimed to acquire popular legitimacy, his performance in electoral campaigns, his life as a poet in politics, as well as his political performance in face of the military government established in 1964, with emphasis to the announcement of his term’s nullification by the dictatorial regime. Through the analysis of these elements, we resorted to the theoretical field of the New Political History and its possible interactions with the concept of Political Culture in the work of Serge Berstein. As a result, it was possible to verify that Ronaldo Cunha Lima used a variety of political and personal strategies in the composition of his political power legacy over time. Thus, this study aims to contribute to a greater political criticality towards the social actors who seize power.