Classical Perspectives on Contemporary Populism

Joseph Forte, Purdue University

Abstract

This thesis presents a rhetorical analysis of three speeches by contemporary political leaders associated with ascendant right-wing populist movements. These are Donald Trump’s nomination acceptance speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC), Nikolaos Michaloliakos’ 2016 speech to the Athens Local Organization, and Marine Le Pen’s address to the 2013 National Front party conference. The analysis employs the classical concepts of kairos, paideia, and arête to determine the political ideologies underlying each speech. The speeches are found to share features of an ideology this thesis terms “diet fascism”: they employ fascistic rhetoric, but simultaneously envision their respective nations as ideally being governed by an ideology that merely resembles an aggressive, highly conservative version of status-quo neoliberalism. Thus, beyond the practical danger posed by these leaders in terms of policy, there exists also the risk that they may eventually legitimize the use of fascistic rhetoric in the public discourse.

Degree

M.A.

Advisors

Johnson-Sheehan, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Rhetoric

COinS