Ideologies Implicit in the War on Terrorism: A Rhetorical Analysis of Speeches from Opposing Voices

Publication Date

8-1-2004

Type of Culminating Activity

Thesis

Degree Title

Master of Arts in Communication

Department

Communication

Major Advisor

Suzanne McCorkle

Advisor

Michael Blain

Advisor

Peter Wollheim

Abstract

Mannheim suggests that the outcome of ideologies colliding is predictable when each position’s ideology is known. This study utilizes an ideological rhetorical criticism to examine three speeches given by the opposing voices within the War on Terrorism: United States President George W. Bush, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Al-Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden.

Without knowing the outcome of the War on Terrorism, it is difficult to ascertain the impact of how each mentality (the conservative, the liberal-humanitarian, the socialist-communist, and the chiliastic) may turn to address each other or the outcome of such an encounter. However, the findings do reveal that the histories surrounding the war are laden with unsettled grievances and damages.

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