Changes in the rhetoric of realism : Henry Kissinger on MFN trade renewal for China.
type: CreativeWork
description: The concept of realism is a fundamental organizing principle of modern international relations theory. This thesis examines the ways in which realism functions rhetorically as a persuasive discourse. Specifically, this project examines the rhetoric of Henry Kissinger in regards to a speech he delivered on the topic of MFN trade status for China. Changes in Kissinger's unique brand of realist rhetoric are examined by employing Kenneth Burke's (1966) concepts of communication. This thesis concludes by offering explanations of the factors that motivated the shift in Kissinger's rhetoric, and by highlighting the implications of these changes for the structure of realist rhetoric as a whole.
abstract: The concept of realism is a fundamental organizing principle of modern international relations theory. This thesis examines the ways in which realism functions rhetorically as a persuasive discourse. Specifically, this project examines the rhetoric of Henry Kissinger in regards to a speech he delivered on the topic of MFN trade status for China. Changes in Kissinger's unique brand of realist rhetoric are examined by employing Kenneth Burke's (1966) concepts of communication. This thesis concludes by offering explanations of the factors that motivated the shift in Kissinger's rhetoric, and by highlighting the implications of these changes for the structure of realist rhetoric as a whole.
author: Gerber, Matthew G.
language: en
keywords: Kissinger, Henry, 1923-, Realism., International relations and culture.
date published: 1999-05
date modified: 2026-07-24T01:07:56Z
provider: Baylor University
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Baylor University.

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: https://hdl.handle.net/2104/14341