Societal Approach for Interpersonal Communication and Social Interaction Analyses: Critical Discourse Analyses in Political Practice

Comunicación y Ciudadanía, No. 6, 2013

Posted: 29 May 2013

See all articles by Katrin Aava

Katrin Aava

Tallinn University (TLU)

Kaja Tampere

Tallinn University (TLU)

Date Written: May 28, 2013

Abstract

The article analyzes how hostility is legalized in different societies and which narratives and discourses are used to make the dominant state ideologies acceptable for citizens. The authors use critical discourse analysis methodology to compare the main narratives of (a) the establishment of communism that was dominant in the Soviet Union and (b) the anti-terrorism movement in the first decade of the 21st century, used in the spread of democratic ideology and justification of the actions of different countries. The Cold War rhetoric in the Soviet Union meant the linguistic militarization of life: war rhetoric interdiscursively invaded everyday life though the language of the media and thus became the language of describing everyday life. After the events of September 11, 2001, a new global confrontation was constructed. During the Soviet Union period we fought against international imperialism; now we fight against international terrorism. Both main narratives, the one of the Soviet Union and the one formulated by George Bush (Jnr), are phrased by the political elite and made legitimate through mass media.

Both narratives are characterized by euphemistic use of language, because military activity is justified by the need to defend democratic values.

Keywords: Critical Discourse Analysis, War Discourse, Anti-Terrorism War, Ideology

Suggested Citation

Aava, Katrin and Tampere, Kaja, Societal Approach for Interpersonal Communication and Social Interaction Analyses: Critical Discourse Analyses in Political Practice (May 28, 2013). Comunicación y Ciudadanía, No. 6, 2013, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2271358

Katrin Aava (Contact Author)

Tallinn University (TLU) ( email )

Uus-Sadama 5
Tallinn, DE 10120
Estonia

Kaja Tampere

Tallinn University (TLU) ( email )

Uus-Sadama 5
Tallinn, DE 10120
Estonia

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