Ideological Reconfigurations and National Identity in Post-2003 Iraqi Presidential Rhetoric: A Critical Discourse Analysis
Inas Malik Mnaathar
1
(
Department of English languages, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
Bahram Hadian
2
(
Department of English, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic AzadUniversity, Isfahan, Iran
)
Hani Kamil Naeemah Al-Farhan
3
(
Department of English Language, Thi-Qar University, Iraq
)
Mehdi Vaez Dalili
4
(
Department of English, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
الکلمات المفتاحية: Critical Discourse Analysis, Iraqi Presidential Speeches, National Identity, and Ideological Shifts.,
ملخص المقالة :
The focus of this paper is to determine the extent to which changes in the ideological frameworks took place after 2003 when the removal of Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist dictatorship set up a democratic system for Iraq. Using the frameworks of Critical Discourse Analysis, more specifically Fairclough's three-dimensional model and van Dijk's socio-cognitive approach, this study conducts a critical investigation into the reframing of national identity, ideological structures, and religious themes in presidential discourse. This article provides an overview of the major ways in which the Iraqi presidents have used language in an attempt to redefine national unity, balance references to Islam, and build legitimacy in light of continuing political transitions. The most important findings provide substantial shifts away from the authoritarian themes and toward inclusiveness, with each administration changing its speech to adjust to the increasingly complex sociopolitical situation. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the role that discourse plays for state-building as a process and to develop a model of political communication after a conflict.
The most important findings provide substantial shifts away from the authoritarian themes and toward inclusiveness, with each administration changing its speech to adjust to the increasingly complex sociopolitical situation. The purpose of this analysis is to identify the role that discourse plays for state-building as a process and to develop a model of political communication after a conflict.
Abu Bakr, R. (2022). Ideological markers in post-conflict discourse: A Middle Eastern perspective. Journal of Political Language Studies, 15(3), 202-215.
Ali, A. (2022). Shifts in national identity through language: A study of Iraqi political discourse post-2003. Middle Eastern Sociolinguistic Journal, 18(1), 111-130.
Al-Harahsheh, M. (2021). Discourse and democracy in Jordan: An analysis of inclusivity in political language. Journal of Middle Eastern Discourse Analysis, 12(2), 142-158.
Al-Maamari, H. (2022). Rhetorical strategies in crisis: A discourse analysis of Iraqi presidential speeches. Arab Journal of Sociolinguistics, 9(4), 278-290.
Al-Mohammad, S. (2021). The evolution of Iraqi media narratives post-2003: A CDA approach. Journal of Arab Media and Communication Studies, 14(3), 303-319.
Al-Rawi, M. (2023). Religious framing in Middle Eastern political discourse: A comparative analysis of Iraq and Syria. Sociolinguistic Inquiry, 7(1), 52-69.
Al-Rashid, F. (2020). Language of authority and unity in post-Ba’athist Iraq. Critical Studies in Middle Eastern Political Discourse, 10(2), 99-116.
Al-Saidi, H., & Al-Jubouri, L. (2018). Islamic unity as a political tool in post-Saddam Iraq. International Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 50(1), 75-90.
Ali, R., & Al-Fayadh, Y. (2019). Religious rhetoric as a unifying force: Iraqi presidential discourse post-2003. Middle Eastern Rhetorical Studies, 11(2), 145-162.
El-Dahshan, M. (2022). Shifts in political discourse in Egypt’s post-authoritarian regime. Journal of Comparative Political Communication, 5(2), 165-180.
Fairclough, N. (2003). Analyzing discourse: Textual analysis for social research. London: Routledge.
Khalil, A., & Suleiman, J. (2022). Iraqi democracy and inclusivity in political discourse: An evolving narrative. Journal of Democratic Discourse, 13(4), 350-368.
Qasim, T., & Hussein, A. (2023). Sectarian neutrality and national unity in Jordanian discourse. International Journal of Sociopolitical Discourse, 6(2), 88-103.
Rahman, L., & Saleh, T. (2021). Linguistic adaptations in post-conflict Iraqi discourse: A study on shifting ideologies. Language and Society, 20(3), 211-225.
Van Dijk, T. A. (2008). Discourse and power. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.