The dual paths of a political movement: convergence and divergence in contemporary conservative public address

This study examines the rhetorical choices made in public addresses by members of the contemporary conservative movement in the United States during the 1990s. The contemporary conservative movement in this instance is defined as a post World War II phenomenon. Specifically, it is argued that the popular notion of a unified conservative ascendence in America is but an illusion. Rather, two distinct tribes of conservatives, the economic and the traditional conservative, participate in a rhetorical homology that serves to hide significant ontological differences beneath the dialectical God terms freedom and order. Additionally, the charismatic nature of the term freedom authorizes allegiance to several abstract policy positions for differing reasons. It is only when the abstract is offered as concrete policy proposal that each wing of the movement is confronted with the gap between their core beliefs and those held by their ally. Because of the transcendence achieved in their discourse, conservatives are able to continually win election while experiencing policy defeat. Several implications for the future of conservatism in particular and political movements in general are asserted in the conclusion.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Speech and Rhetorical Studies

Grantor

Speech Communication

Year dc:date.available

2003

Author dc:creator

• Hunt, Lyman Davis

• discourse
• god term
• identification
• transcendence
• charismatic term
• ideogragh
• rhetorical homology

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Identifier

etd-1110103-141920
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/434

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_dissertations-1433