The Discursive Power of Persuasion in Political Discourse: A Critical Discourse Analysis of King Mohamed VI’s Speeches

Abstract

The success of a particular political discourse is largely determined by the effective persuasive devices the speaker/writer makes use of. The study of the power of language in politics is further taken under scrutiny by scholars in the fields of Discourse Analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis, opening wide horizons not only to the examination of the persuasive power of language but also to its ability to establish control, inequality and dominance. Essentially, Critical Discourse analysts have paved the path to unveiling the latent underlying power of language to spread ideologies, establish discrimination and manipulate people´s needs and desires. Therefore, within this scope, this paper aims to analyze Moroccan King Mohamed VI´s speeches and persuasive strategies and explore their particularities. It also seeks to examine how the discourse of the monarchy has helped in bringing stability to the country.