International Political Discourse Analysis : The Persuasive Role of Speech Strategies in Europe, the UK and the US

Bringing together contributions that analyze political and rhetorical discourse from diverse international perspectives, this volume examines how language shapes ideology, public perception, and policy-making.

It draws on an extensive range of international literature and theoretical frameworks in political discourse analysis and incorporates contributions from scholars in linguistics, political science, media studies, and sociology. The chapters cover a wide range of topics and political figures, including rhetorical strategies in US nomination speeches, discourse of the radical right, analysis of the Project 2025 Manifesto, UK parliamentary debates on migration, impoliteness in US debates and its representation in Russian media, drone warfare language, and analysis of X González’s rhetoric.

The volume is divided into three parts moving from foundational questions about rhetoric and ideology, through rights-focused debates, to very recent cases in current politics. Part One considers rhetoric and ideology of religion and politics, exploring the intricate relationship between political discourse and ideological framing. Part Two examines how political discourse constructs and reinforces perceptions of marginalized groups. It foregrounds rights-based issues (migration, racism, right-to-die), giving the volume clear societal relevance. Finally, Part Three applies linguistic and rhetorical analysis to contemporary political speech.

The book offers an empirically grounded snapshot of post-2010 political discourse showing how ideology and rights language are framed across genres. It aligns to a strong interest in the field of linguistics to understand the importance of political speech, providing critical insights into the persuasive power of political language.