Political Rhetoric and the Media

Political Rhetoric and the Media

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Political Rhetoric and the MediaAbstract

Politics marks the leadership of the globe and has been the order even during days of monarchy (Wedeen, 1999). However, these days’ leadership rest solely on the ability to persuade the public to share the same ideologies. The media have always covered the political developments that either project in the opposition of ideologies or advocate for them. Media have also been influenced by the agitation to avoid biases. This paper examines the effect of persuasion (rhetoric) on the mass public with a case study of the American society. It also discusses the relation between the fields of politics and communication and media that has many a times been gruel.

Introduction

In several measures, journalism has partnered with politics to make deliveries on what has evolved into one of the globe’s most dramatic activities; politics. Enthusiastic clarifications on the same have been made many a times with such pragmatic details that either create an aurier of superiority or dent the reputation of targeted figures. Journalism has portrayed politics as the game that defines the leadership of mankind and keeps us outstanding from the rest of animals. However, politics is more than just that.Political rhetoric is the art and mastery of persuasion skills. It is the ability to inform and motivate listeners/audiences to particular conceptions or to convince the masses to share the same viewpoint. Its use has lasted since the 17th century, always employed by the said figures to achieve targets. Together with logic and grammar, the said field was one of the first art’s discourse of the ancient times. As such, it assumed a crucial role in the evolution of Western education (Aristotle, Roberts and Ross, 2010).Leadership of the modern society is very much defined by political rhetoric. The ability to persuade and win and flatter hearts influences the ballot to the favor of individuals skilled in the same. To say, it is hard to find a society led by the dumb.

Uses of Political Rhetoric

The art has been used by politicians very much influenced by the political atmospheres always to create a perception that earns victory or protect status quo (Wedeen, 1999).The art has been the biggest tool for leaders in such positions to spread propaganda and deceive the masses. That is mostly done just so to cover ill cases that either harms the general well being of the society or punctures that political aspirations of certain individuals. Oft have societies thrived on such deceit always convinced of certain repercussions and the enlightened ability of the individual. Propaganda has proved to be the biggest tool in eluding tricky situations and diverting attention of the general public to other matters of less significance (Aristotle, Roberts and Ross, 2010).Rhetoric has also been in use to enlighten the masses. Many a times, this is executed by the opposing leaders who always seek to expose the scams and misdeeds of the sitting leadership so to earn the favor of the citizenry in the ballot. Exposing of the weaknesses of the ruling power always makes the opposing leaders assume the positions of strength, capacity, agility, and ability (Charteris, 2006).

Effects of Political Rhetoric

The art can inspire supporters and make them believe in matters that border vanity. Politicians always make luring promises that assume the image of solutions to the problems that face the public. They present to the public plans and intentions that can either turn around their lives or set the precepts for a new beginning. It thus drives the masses into poverty by diverting their attention to empty promises rather than present the actual solutions (Wedeen, 1999).When a politician employs the use of the art to lure a block vote, failure may result in bitterness. The bitterness and vengeance thirst may lead to segregative development as they seek to punish the regions that did not vote for them. That is because development has been thrust into the hands of politicians. Rhetoric has been used to manipulate the governance of nations for instance, through changes made to national documents like the constitution (Charteris, 2006).

Relation to Media

Interestingly, the media have hardly taken note of either the uses or the effects of political rhetoric on the mass public in keen detail. Matters exposed are always preliminary and serve to the desires of the political elite, assisting them achieve the impact they want to achieve or sometimes denting their reputation (Wedeen, 1999).The evolution of politics has also witnessed the evolution of communication and media. The increasing global political intensity has led to increased competition among media companies thus calling for creativity to beat competition. Shows have evolved to include the much intensity (Willis, 2007).Political rhetoric has also seen the business of mass media and communication boom. The art has attracted more interest all over the globe into politics. More people hence turn to media to get updates on the political proceedings as they want to monitor the political progress of their icons. The field has also inspired aspects of journalism like the investigative journalism, all aimed at exposing the scam that surround the field or to comprehend the developments in the field (Comstock & Scharrer, 2007).In some situations, politics and rhetoric have been used to curtail freedom of the media as politicians make frantic efforts in covering the dirty trails they always leave behind. In some nations, publications of the media are subject to editing and approval by the political rulers. As such, they determine what they term as appropriate and worthy of not harming the intents of the government (Wedeen, 1999).Such relations have sometimes served to the benefit of the public, but in other situations, gagging the media always takes from the masses their rights to information (Comstock & Scharrer, 2007). There are organizations that have come up with strategies that are meant to free the media from political interference that bars them from reporting significant issues. This research examines the effect of politics and its rhetoric on the masses (Willis, 2007).

Methodology

Different research factors were put in place to examine the effect of the power of political persuasion of the general public. The American society has been selected for a case study to help with analyzing the impact of the same.

I. Case Study

The U.S, with all its enormous resource of population and intelligence, stands at the pole position of being subject to political rhetoric (Charteris, 2006). The country has witnessed the leadership of the some of the most eloquent personnel in world history. Such leadership has always granted them the will to face insurmountable challenges and even triumph. On more than one occasion, the will of the American people have been influenced by individuals who were of addressing their problems directly. In a sense, addresses like search can always convince people that one is the right one for a job. America is also one of the nations that has vast media rights, allowing the covering of every political detail and progress in the country. The interaction between politics and media has thus been intense in the country (Willis, 2007).

II. Qualitative Research

The American people are diversified and have different affiliations. Some of the citizenry are passionate about and are sensitive to political matters. As such, a comprehensive survey to analyze the affiliations and willingness to participate in political questioning was conducted.Willing respondents were then sampled randomly to create a balanced field for questioning. The sampling was only relevant for the distribution of online questionnaires that were distributed to most states in the U.S.

III. Data Collection

Data collection for the research involved the use of several techniques to ensure that the information collected was up-to-date, and covered all the fields that are always affected by the politics.

Questionnaires were distributed online to respondents. Having the questionnaires to themselves was a strategy meant at collecting sincere information. It has been deduced that respondents are more open when they are answering questions online.

Sample Questionnaire

What is the effect of Political Rhetoric on national Spirit?

What is the impact of political rhetoric on national productivity?

How has the presumed relation of mass media and politics affected the society?

How has politics and its rhetoric affected businesses?

Street interviews were also conducted with willing respondents at random. This was aimed at bridging the gaps that were left by other methods. The questions that were used on both occasions had just slight variations and covered most of the fields of that are related to politics. Their open-endedness was aimed at ensuring that the responses were diversified because there are varied feelings and understanding of the impact of politics and its rhetoric.

Results

The responses were varied, and some fell for the idea that political rhetoric has been of great purpose in the nation whilst some had a different conception.Most of the respondents, however, had an inclination that political rhetoric has always been used by politicians, especially presidents and presidential aspirants, to inspire national spirit. As such, they have been able to persevere and go through hard times as a nation (Aristotle, Roberts and Ross, 2010). With the illusion that a new dawn is always about, the people have always managed to either come up with measures and the spirit to go through any national turmoil.The respondents also affirmed that political rhetoric has been used to inspire national productivity as politicians have always persuaded their citizenry to serve the nation and improve it. There was also the response that businesses always boomed when political persuasion inspired general productivity.Finally, most correspondents noted with appreciation, the effect of media on politics. The media have encouraged political transparency and democracy (Comstock & Scharrer, 2007).

Discussion

Politicians have always employed their persuasion power to help them elude tricky situations. For instance, whenever they are confronted with the danger of a failing economy, they take to their skill to make an attempt at improving productivity. Powerful talking can convince a citizenry to go back to work even when the situation is near unbearable and strive to make a difference. Cases that involve corruption and scam, factors that always taint the image of the government, drastic measures are always taken. After the expulsion of the individuals involved in the nasty act, powerful speeches are always used to reassure the public and make the act look like it has been sufficiently dealt with.Political Rhetoric has not only inspired the public to work and improve their general well-being. In the numerous applications, it has also been used as a blindfold that keeps the public from getting informed about the details of events. That is where the media has always come in; to unearth the very concealed aspects of political misdeeds (Willis, 2007). Many a times, the whistle on scams and scandals have always been blown by the media. Governments have also been kept on their toes by the media that give coverage to the opposing factions.The relation between the two fields, though bruising most of the time, has served to keep the general public informed and updated world over (Willis, 2007).

Conclusion

Political rhetoric has been the foundation of most political reigns. Winning an election very much involves the ability of an individual to persuade voters to consider their candidacy during the campaigns. The art that has been used since the 17th century requires great wit and the ability to comprehend situations and come up with measures/answers. One who possesses the art should always be ready to respond verbally to any problem that emerges. The art has not only shaped politics and education; it has also affected several other fields, but the most significant of all is the field of communication and media. The revelations that have always been made by the media sometimes puts the aspirations of politicians in jeopardy. In some nations, such has resulted in the restricted freedom of media as the politicians argue that the adverse reports stir the public and deprive a nation of peace.

References

Aristotle, ., Roberts, W. R., & Ross, W. D. (2010). Rhetoric. New York: CosimoClassics.

Charteris-Black, J. (2006). Politicians and rhetoric: The persuasive power of metaphor. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.

Comstock, G. A., & Scharrer, E. (2007). The psychology of media and politics. Amsterdam [etc.: Elsevier.

Wedeen, L. (1999). Ambiguities of domination: Politics, rhetoric, and symbols in contemporary Syria. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Willis, J. (2007). The media effect: How the news influences politics and government. Westport, Conn. [u.a.: Praeger.