Bush the Conservative p. 17
The result is a fairly strong indication that, at least in this case, there is a rhetorical bridge that has been built between President Bush and his non-elite supporters. The bricks and mortar of this bridge are the political keywords and propaganda techniques utilized in delivering this message. This would indicate that, despite what the literature suggests, non-elite audiences are at least susceptible to ideological arguments – at least if they are packaged right.
There are a number of things that the paper does not answer. It cannot determine intention – whether the shift in technique from persuasion to propaganda is based on perception of the audience or simply comfort level of the speaker. It cannot determine to what extent the audience, either elite or non-elite, agrees with the President’s message or with the political and economic theories that underpin the ideology. It also cannot determine if this shift in techniques can be replicated by others or if it is simply part of the inherent abilities of the President to read a crowd and adjust his message.
The ties to the philosophy of Objectivism are particularly weak. The link is suggested, but not made implicit. Further analysis would be necessary to gain a firm understanding of the philosophy underlying the President’s political beliefs. It is possible, however, to behave in a manner that is consistent with Objectivism, and to feel a resonance with Objectivist arguments, without fully subscribing to those theories.
The ties to monetarist theories are much easier to trace. However, the extent to which these theories have risen to the level of ideology – where they have a resonant emotional response – has not been established. Doing so would be difficult as the line between a solid logical defense of policy and an emotional attachment to that policy for the sake of itself. It would take a very detailed rhetorical analysis to determine where that line lay.
As stated at the beginning, this paper cannot be the final word in answering the puzzle of how to gain political support. It is intended only to be the first word in an ongoing examination. This is a significant contribution towards understand how elites mobilize mass support for their political agendas. It is only a contribution, though, and worthy of more study and refinement.
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There are a number of things that the paper does not answer. It cannot determine intention – whether the shift in technique from persuasion to propaganda is based on perception of the audience or simply comfort level of the speaker. It cannot determine to what extent the audience, either elite or non-elite, agrees with the President’s message or with the political and economic theories that underpin the ideology. It also cannot determine if this shift in techniques can be replicated by others or if it is simply part of the inherent abilities of the President to read a crowd and adjust his message.
The ties to the philosophy of Objectivism are particularly weak. The link is suggested, but not made implicit. Further analysis would be necessary to gain a firm understanding of the philosophy underlying the President’s political beliefs. It is possible, however, to behave in a manner that is consistent with Objectivism, and to feel a resonance with Objectivist arguments, without fully subscribing to those theories.
The ties to monetarist theories are much easier to trace. However, the extent to which these theories have risen to the level of ideology – where they have a resonant emotional response – has not been established. Doing so would be difficult as the line between a solid logical defense of policy and an emotional attachment to that policy for the sake of itself. It would take a very detailed rhetorical analysis to determine where that line lay.
As stated at the beginning, this paper cannot be the final word in answering the puzzle of how to gain political support. It is intended only to be the first word in an ongoing examination. This is a significant contribution towards understand how elites mobilize mass support for their political agendas. It is only a contribution, though, and worthy of more study and refinement.
Go on to Citations Page
© 2004 by Xpatriated Texan
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