The Bolivarian circles: the myth of popular unity

Abstract

This article analyzes the «Bolivarian circles», organizations promoted by Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez since 2001. We study the definition, goals and forms of action of these organizations in order to understand their role in the construction of a myth around the unity of the people, which is an integral part of the doctrine of a «Bolivarian Revolution». The deep socio-political crisis that preceded the election of Chávez as Venezuela’s president, as well as the strong presence of a Bolivarian cult in the Venezuelan political imaginary, help explain the creation of these organizations and their name. We also analyze the roles assigned to the circles, among them these of organizers, transmitters of demands and requests, and providers of indoctrination, but also that of defending, if necessary by violent means, the «revolution».

Keywords

• venezuela
• mito político
• bolivariano
• unidad
• pueblo