Why Does Propaganda Succeed? Using Cognitive Linguistics to Analyze White Supremacist Propaganda and its Features in American Politics
Location
PANEL: Contemporary Issues in Politics: Identity, Mind, and Security
Wilder 101
Document Type
Presentation - Open Access
Start Date
4-28-2023 4:00 PM
End Date
4-28-2023 5:00 PM
Abstract
This presentation seeks to analyze the use of Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the Strict Father framework in alt-right propaganda. First, I will detail definitions of Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the Strict Father Framework, as proposed by George Lakoff and Mark Turner. The Strict Father framework comes out of Conceptual Metaphor Theory, which posits that metaphors become ingrained as conceptual once they are conventionalized in our daily speech. Because metaphors become ingrained in the mind, when they are taken up by bad actors they can be used to persuade someone towards a particular position, often without them knowing. Using an alt-right propaganda novel as a case study, I will examine the use of the Strict Father framework in political messaging. By taking a historical approach to provide context and situate the novel in the contemporary political moment, I found that Strict Father frameworks were readily apparent, contributing to the novel's persuasive success. The novel’s use of metaphor frameworks has resulted in tangible, real-world effects, from the Oklahoma City bombing to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Future research should focus on how to harness conceptual metaphor frameworks in order to increase the efficacy of progressive messaging.
Keywords:
American politics, Propaganda, Cognitive linguistics, Literature
Recommended Citation
Franqui, Alexander Saint, "Why Does Propaganda Succeed? Using Cognitive Linguistics to Analyze White Supremacist Propaganda and its Features in American Politics" (2023). Research Symposium. 21.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2023/presentations/21
Major
Anthropology; English
Project Mentor(s)
Gillian Johns, English
2023
Why Does Propaganda Succeed? Using Cognitive Linguistics to Analyze White Supremacist Propaganda and its Features in American Politics
PANEL: Contemporary Issues in Politics: Identity, Mind, and Security
Wilder 101
This presentation seeks to analyze the use of Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the Strict Father framework in alt-right propaganda. First, I will detail definitions of Conceptual Metaphor Theory and the Strict Father Framework, as proposed by George Lakoff and Mark Turner. The Strict Father framework comes out of Conceptual Metaphor Theory, which posits that metaphors become ingrained as conceptual once they are conventionalized in our daily speech. Because metaphors become ingrained in the mind, when they are taken up by bad actors they can be used to persuade someone towards a particular position, often without them knowing. Using an alt-right propaganda novel as a case study, I will examine the use of the Strict Father framework in political messaging. By taking a historical approach to provide context and situate the novel in the contemporary political moment, I found that Strict Father frameworks were readily apparent, contributing to the novel's persuasive success. The novel’s use of metaphor frameworks has resulted in tangible, real-world effects, from the Oklahoma City bombing to the January 6th attack on the Capitol. Future research should focus on how to harness conceptual metaphor frameworks in order to increase the efficacy of progressive messaging.
