The sounds of war or of growing democracy? Venezuelan intellectuals speak on the April Golpe

Abstract

Though Venezuelan society has never been known for uniformity of opinion, the current lack of consensus has reached a truly alarming level. The astounding ricochets of governmental change on 11–14 April have produced a staggering number of versions of who did what to whom, why and with what support. Even within standard social divisions such as class, profession, and political affiliation, you will find a dizzying array of explanations, each with its own set of political and social implications. Academics also display this intense level of dissent. If society at large relies upon its intellectuals to interpret and describe the people's history, to provide a cultural mirror from which the nation can gain a sense of identity, Venezuelan intellectuals currently hold up a shattered mirror, too splintered to provide a coherent image. And yet, within this dangerously fragmented sphere of opinion, there exists the possibility of a shift towards sustained political participation and social activism, with invaluable potential to create a more democratic system.