Synopses & Reviews
The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal in the United States, but that statement does not hold true for words. Some words carry more weight than others--they seem to work harder, get more done, and demand more respect.
Political Keywords: Using Language that Uses Us looks at eight dominant words that are crucial to American political discourse, and how they have been employed during the last fifty years.
Based on an analysis of eleven separate studies of political language, Political Keywords helps readers to understand what these terms mean and how they are used. For example, the book tracks what politics now means to modern commentators, how schoolteacher impress certain values upon the nation's children by invoking the office of the president, and why an innocent word like government sometimes makes people so upset. It details how the people are referenced in political talk and how the media portray themselves. The book also considers the work done by political parties, political promises, and political consultants because, together, they shed special light on modern elections. Combining social science with subtle forms of cultural interpretation, Political Keywords: Using Language that Uses Us provides a fresh look at both American politics and American language. It is an ideal text for undergraduate and graduate courses in political communication, political language, political campaigns, media and politics, political psychology, public opinion, rhetorical criticism, contemporary public address, and presidential rhetoric.
Table of Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
UNIT 1. THE LANGUAGE OF POLITICS
1. The Possibilities of Language
2. Whither Politics? An Evolving Construct
3. What is Politics? An Inventory of Meanings
UNIT 2. THE LANGUAGE OF DEMOCRACY
4. The Government: A Troubling Ally
5. The Media: Powerful Despite Themselves
6. The People: Constructing an Electorate
UNIT 3. THE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP
7. The President: Lessons in Political Socialization
8. The President: How Institutions Preserve Themselves
9. The President: Managing Democratic Tensions
UNIT 4. THE LANGUAGE OF CAMPAIGNING
10. The Party: An Irrepressible Institution
11. The Promise: Imagining the Future Together
12. The Consultant: A Synecdoche for All of Politics
Conclusion: Language in Retrospect
Index