Open AccessARISTOTLE ON RHETORIC AND POLITICAL PERSUASIVE SKILLS: EXAMPLES FROM POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS IN AFRICAN POLITICS
Author(s) -
Longino Rutagwelera Kamuhabwa
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of humanities, philosophy and language
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2600-8270
DOI - 10.35631/ijhpl.413006
Subject(s) - rhetoric , persuasion , politics , credibility , commit , political science , hatred , political communication , political rhetoric , sociology , media studies , aesthetics , law , social psychology , psychology , philosophy , linguistics , computer science , database
Aristotle’s theory and principles of Rhetoric have an application to political communication. In this paper, we make a descriptive, critical and analytical exposition of the features of Rhetoric according to Aristotle with a focus on their application to political campaigns in Africa and elsewhere. While exposing the persuasive skills of Rhetoric we associate them with some logical fallacies which political speakers commit in their maneuvers to win credibility before the electorates. As Rhetoric is essentially an art of persuasion it is prone to some immoral stances. These may include deceiving and objectifying the audience for the political interests of the speakers, reciprocation of defamatory and hate speeches among political speakers, inciting of hatred and violence, etc. all aiming at persuading the electorate at all cost and by all means.