The Political Rhetoric and Oratory of Margaret Thatcher

Crines, A , Heppell, T and Dorey, P (2016) The Political Rhetoric and Oratory of Margaret Thatcher. Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 1-226. ISBN 978-1-137-45383-9 (Submitted)

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Abstract

The aim of this book is to assess the construction of the political persona of Margaret Thatcher and within this the rhetorical devices and oratorical methods that she used to justify Thatcherism. The study of political persona, rhetoric and oratory and its impact upon the political process is an emerging area of academic research, and Thatcher constitutes a high profile and controversial figure to use as a case study. By doing so, the book will provide an insight into the persuasive abilities (and limitations) of Thatcher, and the extent to which the personalisation of her leadership was core to the narrative(s) of Thatcherism. The book will revolve around two sections. The first section evaluates how the political persona of Thatcher was established and embedded by examining her approach, arguments and effects in three different arenas: first, at parliamentary debate; second, in set piece speeches, most notably party conferences; and third, in interviews and press conferences. The second section will examine her rhetoric and oratory by considering her use of ethos or her character to justify political positions; her exploitation of pathos or emotion as a means of justification, and the extent to which her communication was informed by logos (evidence and logic) as a means of persuasion. The second section also broadens the analysis out to consider her communicative style in terms of the Olmsted criteria: when was it deliberative (considered); when was it judicial (reflective and forensic) and to what extent was it epideitic (based around drama and performance). By the analytical approaches identified above the book will offer a new and distinctive interpretation of the leadership of Margaret Thatcher and the politics of Thatcherism. It will also offer a framework for analysis that can be applied to other political elites.

Item Type:	Book
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	10 Sep 2015 14:07
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2022 01:17
DOI:	10.1057/978-1-137-45384-6
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/2025282