A cross-cultural study of nationalist rhetorics

This dissertation examines the speeches of four world leaders, organized into four distinct, yet interconnected analyses. My central purpose is to explore how “nationalism” is rhetorically constructed in different contemporary cultural and national contexts. By comparing and contrasting the rhetoric of four world leaders speaking about nationalism, I hope to illuminate what various international appeals to nationalism share in common as well as how they diverge. This, in turn, will allow for analysis of the role that nationalist rhetoric plays in both local and global political contexts. The analysis begins with an examination of Emmanuel Macron’s Armistice speech (2018) and proceeds chronologically to engage with Narendra Modi’s election victory speech (2019), Donald Trump’s speech at the 74th United Nations General Assembly (2019), and Jair Bolsonaro’s speech at the same event (2019).

Embargo status: Restricted until 01/2023. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left.