Rhetoric of Political and Global Discourse

This chapter examines how rhetoric shapes political and global discourse, exploring the persuasive strategies nations, institutions, and cultural figures use to influence perception and build credibility. Students will consider how soft power, symbolic authority, and tradition frame what feels normal and acceptable in international contexts. This chapter highlights tools such as media framing, political messaging, and sports as national narratives, showing how these rhetorical choices affect identity, belonging, and trust. Global examples, including K-pop diplomacy, Radio Free Europe, and sportswashing, illustrate the ethical stakes of persuasion. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate how such rhetoric shapes understanding and power.