Uma história política para os sertões cearenses: experiência de leitura da obra “Russas: 200 anos de emancipação política” de Limério Moreira Da Rocha (2001)

Abstract

This final project analyzes the work "Russas: 200 Years of Political Emancipation" by Limério Moreira da Rocha. The central objective is to examine the construction of the history of Russas, Ceará, from the perspective of the history of historiography, focusing on the evolution of political history and the historiography of the Northeastern backlands. The study is based on the premise that politics is a complex field, marked by conflicts and power struggles, and that democratic institutions can face crises of legitimacy. The methodology employed an in-depth reading of Rocha's main work. Given its length, the focus was on the sections and chapters pertinent to the formation and constitution of the municipality, political-administrative changes, power relations, and social participation. The analysis was guided by a dialogue with the "new political history" and the historiography of the backlands, allowing for an understanding of the various dimensions of politics presented by the author, including the relationships between social agents and the State, conflicts, and the dynamics of leadership changes. The analysis reveals that, although Rocha does not explicitly conceptualize the "new political history," his narrative moves between traditional and renewed political historiography. This is demonstrated by the approach to prominent figures and institutional events, as well as the inclusion of historically marginalized social actors, such as Indigenous peoples and parishioners of Russas, who mobilized in petitions and power struggles. The work highlights politics as conflict (exemplified by the massacre of 1699), as territorial and social construction, as an expression of local agency (demands and elections), and as a reflection of national and global changes. The mention of illustrious families underscores the influence of oligarchies and family networks on local politics. In conclusion, Limério Moreira da Rocha's work is essential material for understanding local and regional political history. It offers a multifaceted panorama of the formation of Russas and contributes to a more complete understanding of Brazilian political history by integrating both the "major events" and the actions of those "from below."