Sticky words? Towards a theory of rhetorical path dependency
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Authors
Grube, Dennis
Publication Date
2016-07-02Journal Title
Australian Journal of Political Science
ISSN
1036-1146
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Volume
51
Issue
3
Pages
530-545
Language
en
Type
Article
This Version
AM
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Grube, D. (2016). Sticky words? Towards a theory of rhetorical path dependency. Australian Journal of Political Science, 51 (3), 530-545. https://doi.org/10.1080/10361146.2016.1171824
Abstract
Speech matters. Political actors are defined by what they say as much as by what they do but, with each rhetorical choice, they also narrow the range of rhetorical options open to them for the future. This paper examines the idea of path dependency, a well-established concept in the field of policy studies, and applies it to the study of political rhetoric. It argues that words are sticky, leaving political leaders caught between the desire to utilise fresh and engaging rhetoric to explain new policy choices and the reality that they cannot shake off the wording of their previous promises. In advancing a theory of rhetorical path dependency, the paper builds on the insights of both discursive institutionalism and rhetorical political analysis to suggest that whilst ideas are indeed vital to the shaping of institutions, the arguments that give those ideas shape can themselves be constrained by earlier choices.
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10361146.2016.1171824
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/273305
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