ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a detailed analysis of the ideological functions of personal pronouns. It focuses on the transition between a democratic dialogue which allowed for the alternation of parties for 40 years, the change towards a socialist dialogue which has been occupied by the same party for 18 years, and the reaction against it by a coalition of parties which are demanding the right to democratic dialogue without coercion. The argument is that in populist discourse we need to focus on the tensions between I and WE because they bring to the fore ideological tensions between the I of the leader and the WE of those who follow ‘me’, but not of those who are against ‘me’. The chapter shows the use of pronouns in a dialogue which has historically been self-centred (I the leader or the Supreme leader), conveniently alternating exclusion and inclusion of the people (YOU), and trusting that new leaders will appear to correct the errors of the past (a new I). It is concluded that the big challenge for Venezuela and the world is to pay more attention to the authoritarian saviours of the Motherland and promote a political culture in which WE may all participate without fear.
