The Relevance of Rhetoric in Modern Politics

This thesis explores the continued relevance of rhetoric in modern politics, beginning with Aristotle’s classical model of ethos, pathos, and logos. It examines how media, technology, and societal shifts have altered rhetorical practices. Theories by Kenneth Burke and I.A. Richards are introduced to address identity-based persuasion and language ambiguity. Using Antoine Braet’s framework, three political speeches are analyzed. The study concludes that while classical rhetoric remains foundational, modern political discourse requires a multidimensional approach that includes symbolic identity, audience interpretation, and strategic media use.