Constitutive Rhetoric Summary

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In American politics, the inauguration of a new President marks a new beginning in our country and is rich with historical significance and rhetorical symbolism. It stands as a peak moment for the President and marks the formal assumption of new executive authority. The inauguration also allows for the President to set a tone for the country concerning the new administration's tenure. An event that is embedded in the ceremonial importance as well as relays profound rhetorical significance in order to not only persuade the audience, but also constitutes the very essence of the Presidency. Drawing upon the theories found in Constitutive Rhetoric: A Case of the Peuple Quebecois by Maurice Charland and synthesizing it with Karlyn Campbell and Kathleen …show more content…

To do so, the president must recognize that the inauguration is not a time for the president to garner support for their political policies, it is a time to bring people together to define national purpose and encourage active participation. Charland applies constitutive rhetoric to the situation in Quebec. In Quebec, the unification of the Peuple of Quebecois has historically played a crucial role in shaping the province's political landscape. This can be seen during the Revolution in the 1960s, where Quebecois nationalists sought to unify the French-speaking population around a common vision of political and societal autonomy. This movement led to significant social and political changes, including the secularization of society, language reforms, and demands for greater provincial autonomy within the Canadian federation. Similarly, in the United States, the unification of the American people has been essential for maintaining stability. Throughout American history, moments of national crisis, such as wars, economic downturns, or social upheavals, have often prompted calls for unity and solidarity among the …show more content…

This statement is meant to bring hope out of turbulent times for the country and turns into an opportunity for “the people” to trust in Roosevelt and the foundation of the Constitution to bring the country back to a time of stability and peace. A recollection of past events gave FDR and every other president who utilized them effectively during their inaugural addresses to demonstrate to the audience their dedication to the role and the ability to lead the nation. Inaugurating the presidency is not merely a ceremonial formality but a profound act of constitutive rhetoric, through which the symbolic identity of the presidency is continually reaffirmed and redefined. Maurice Charland's theory of constitutive rhetoric provides a valuable framework for understanding the role of ceremonies, rituals, and symbols in shaping political discourse and national identity. Just as Charland emphasizes the performative power of language and action in constituting collective identity, so too does the inauguration ceremony serve as a performative enactment of the presidency, symbolizing the transfer of power and the continuity of democratic

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