The President is the Message: Populism and Personality Politics in Venezuelan Government Communications (2000-2010)

Abstract

This paper analyzes government communications in Venezuela under the administration of Hugo Chávez, whose focal point is the “Bolivarian Revolution”. The communications model is heavily characterized by populism and personality politics, as concluded when analyzing three significant moments for the democratic governability of Hugo Chávez’s administration: his ratification or re‑ election in office in the years 2000, 2004 and 2006. The elaboration of public policy plans in presidential addresses was studied given the importance of communications within government strategies.

Keywords

• Populism
• personality politics
• Hugo Chávez
• media
• government communications
• Venezuela