The moral rhetoric of American Presidents / Colleen J. Shogan.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shogan, Colleen J., 1975-

Series:

Presidential rhetoric series ; no. 17.

Presidential rhetoric series ; no. 17

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Presidents--United States--History.

Presidents.

Presidents--United States--Language--History.

Rhetoric--Political aspects--United States--History.

Rhetoric.

Rhetoric--Moral and ethical aspects--United States--History.

Presidents--United States--Case studies.

Rhetoric--Political aspects--United States--Case studies.

English language--United States--Rhetoric.

English language.

Political leadership--United States--History.

Political leadership.

Political oratory--United States--History.

Political oratory.

Political ethics--United States--History.

Political ethics.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (236 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

College Station : Texas A&M University Press, c2006, [2007]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Although sometimes decried by pundits, George W. Bush's use of moral and religious rhetoric is far from unique in the American presidency. Throughout history and across party boundaries, presidents have used such appeals, with varying degrees of political success. The Moral Rhetoric of American Presidents astutely analyzes the president's role as the nation's moral spokesman. Armed with quantitative methods from political science and the qualitative case study approach prevalent in rhetorical studies, Colleen J. Shogan demonstrates that moral and religious rhetoric is not simply a reflection of individual character or an expression of American "civil religion" but a strategic tool presidents can use to enhance their constitutional authority. To determine how the use of moral rhetoric has changed over time, Shogan employs content analysis of the inaugural and annual addresses of all the presidents from George Washington through George W. Bush. This quantitative evidence shows that while presidents of both parties have used moral and religious arguments, the frequency has fluctuated considerably and the language has become increasingly detached from relevant policy arguments. Shogan explores the political effects of the rhetorical choices presidents make through nine historical cases (Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Buchanan, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Carter). She shows that presidents who adapt their rhetoric to the political conditions at hand enhance their constitutional authority, while presidents who ignore political constraints suffer adverse political consequences. The case studies allow Shogan to highlight the specific political circumstances that encourage or discourage the use of moral rhetoric. Shogan concludes with an analysis of several dilemmas of governance instigated by George W. Bush's persistent devotion to moral and religious argumentation.

Contents:

Presidential moral leadership and rhetoric

Rhetorical patterns of the annual and inaugural addresses, 1790-2003

The politics of reinforcing moral rhetoric

The politics of moral restraint

The politics of strategic moral rhetoric

The future of rhetorical moralism in the presidency.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [213]-225) and index.

ISBN:

1-299-05330-0

1-60344-459-9

OCLC:

698590832