The Manichean Demonization of the Other in Political Discourse

The originality of the present study lies in three points. First, the linguistic analysis of Bush's political speeches is carried out through relating the details of linguistic behaviour to political behaviour. The study starts from the linguistic micro-level and asks which strategic functions are fulfilled by specific structures (e.g. metaphor, pronouns, and modality). Second, the present study uses the linguistic-rhetorical tools as a "polygraph" to unveil the ulterior ideological and political creeds espoused by the speaker. Third, the political speeches are not only investigated as an instance of political discourse but as a flagrant example of xenophobic discourse as well. It has been deduced that although the four analyzed speeches have been delivered in different spatial, temporal and political circumstances, they share a common ideological strand. There are three common features of the speeches: 1. The Manichean conceptualization of the U.S ecumenical struggle. 2. The elevated, altruistic goals sought by "Us." 3. The inherently belligerent nature of the Other.