Sectarian Rhetoric in Contemporary Political Discourse: A Critical Prag-matic Approach Using van Dijk’s Ideological Square

Subject Areas :

Saeed Mahdi Abdulraheem Al-Azzawi ¹ , Ehsan Rezvani ² , Basim Jubair Kadhim Al-Jameel ³ , Bahram Hadian ⁴

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Received: 2025-06-25 Accepted : 2025-06-25 Published : 2025-06-25

Keywords: Sectarian Rhetoric, Critical Discourse Analysis, Political Communication, Ideological Square, Pragmatics,

Abstract :

This study investigates the manifestations and impacts of sectarian rhetoric in contemporary po-litical discourse through a critical pragmatic lens, employing Van Dijk's Ideological Square framework. Drawing on a corpus of 150 political texts, including speeches, campaign materials, and social media posts, the study adopts a mixed-methods approach to analyze the linguistic strategies employed by diverse political factions. Key findings reveal distinct rhetorical patterns: conservative factions predominantly utilize fear-based and exclusionary narratives, emphasizing negative out-group representation (85%), while liberal factions focus on inclusivity, promoting positive in-group representation (70%). Quantitative analyses highlight a strong correlation be-tween sectarian rhetoric and societal polarization (R = 0.82, p < 0.01) as well as diminished in-stitutional trust (R = -0.65, p < 0.01). These results underscore the role of sectarian rhetoric in fostering ideological divides, eroding public trust, and shaping political identities. The implica-tions are far-reaching, offering theoretical advancements in understanding the interplay between political language and societal cohesion. Practically, the study calls for policymakers to adopt more inclusive communication strategies, educators to enhance media literacy programs, and media organizations to counteract divisive narratives. It also highlights the ethical dilemmas posed by AI-driven amplification of sectarian rhetoric on digital platforms, urging further explo-ration of technology’s role in political communication. By bridging gaps in the literature, partic-ularly regarding the intersection of technology, rhetoric, and societal impacts, this research con-tributes to ongoing efforts to mitigate polarization and promote democratic dialogue.

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