Peaceful Persuasion

The Geopolitics of Nonviolent Rhetoric

By Ellen W. Gorsevski
Foreword by Tom H. Hastings

Subjects: Peace, Communication, Composition And Rhetoric Studies
Series: SUNY series in Communication Studies
Paperback : 9780791460283, 286 pages, November 2016
Hardcover : 9780791460276, 286 pages, March 2004

Alternative formats available from:

Table of contents

Tables and Figures

Acknowledgments

Foreword by Tom H. Hastings

Introduction

1. Everyday Peacemaking: Nonviolent Communication and Rhetoric

 

Introduction
The Purpose of This Book
The Problem Defined
Tools for Analyzing Nonviolence
Summary

 

2. Rhetoric, Media, and Public Relations: Evolving Nonviolent Communication with Rhetorical Theory

 

Rhetoric in the Service of Social Knowledge
Engaging the Media Rhetorically
Public Relations and the Peace Movement
International Media and Nonviolence

 

3. Peace and Pedagogy: The Case for Recognizing Nonviolence in the Speech Communication Curriculum

 

Defining Peace and Nonviolence as Aspects of Speech Communication
Why Peace and Nonviolence Is Missing from the Speech Communication Curriculum
A Rationale for Teaching Peace and Nonviolence in the Classroom
Some Preliminary Conclusions

 

4. The Spitfire Grill: Nonviolence as Social Power

 

Rediscovering Nonviolence
A Nonviolent Reading of Film
The Difference Between Nonviolence and Pacifism
Critics' Reviews
Structural Violence
The Issue of "Believability" in Nonviolence and Violence
Some Conclusions about Nonviolence in Film

 

5. The Politics of Nonviolent Pragmatism: Kiro Gligorov at the United Nations

 

Gligorov the Peacemaker
Theoretical Significance of Nonviolent Rhetoric
Cross-Cultural Rhetoric at the United Nations
Historical Background
Gligorov’s Rhetorical Ace: "The Nightmare Scenario"
Analysis
Prospects for Peace

 

6. Nonviolence in Pink: The Visual Rhetoric of Aung San Suu Kyi

 

Essentializing and Nonviolent Theory
Picture Theory and Spectacle
Aung San Suu Kyi
Nonviolent Rhetoric in Visual Form
Engendering Democracy
Conclusion: Metapictures in Nonterritorial Democracy

 

7. A Rhetorical Climate: The Power of Hope in Big Sky Country

 

The Problem with Situation
Climate: Concept Definition and Supporting Data
"Rhetoric as a Way of Being:" The Experience of Hate Crimes
The Case: A Changing Climate in Big Sky Country
Discussion: Utility of Rhetorical Climate Construct
Conclusion

 

8. Conclusion: Toward a Theory of Nonviolent Rhetoric

 

Informing Rhetorical Theory with Nonviolent Theory
Transforming Perceptions of Possible Peace through Rhetorical Means
Conclusion

 

APPENDIX 1. Rhetoric and Nonviolence

 

Forms of Nonviolent Rhetoric
Rhetoric as True Nonviolent Action
Presumed Peacemakers

 

APPENDIX 2. Address of Kiro Gligorov to the UN General Assembly, 30 September 1993 (Official UN Translation)

APPENDIX 3. Early History of Macedonia

Notes

Works Cited

Index

Offers a conceptual foundation for nonviolent rhetoric.

Description

This remarkable book asserts that nonviolent rhetoric, largely overlooked until now, supports conflict transformation when applied to contemporary political communication. Ellen W. Gorsevski explores the pragmatic nonviolence of Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov, the visual rhetoric of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, and an anti-racist campaign in Billings, Montana. In so doing, she establishes a foundation for theorizing how conflicts can be understood, prevented, managed, or reduced by employing peace-minded rhetorical means. Peaceful Persuasion highlights the great possibilities, as well as deep responsibilities, of rhetorical choices made on the geopolitical scene and uncovers the transformative potential of recognizing the social, cultural, and political value of nonviolence in fostering democracy.

Ellen W. Gorsevski has taught at Oregon State University, at The Pennsylvania State University, and at Washington State University.