Jackson and Rhetoric

Jackson placed a high value on rhetoric when discussing relational constructivism. It is interesting that this is the first time we have heard about rhetoric in our study of "isms" thus far in the semester because it is such an important part of politics, and such a tool to help leaders get their governments and people to support shifts in involvement in the international system.

Jackson argues that "rhetorical commonplaces" are actually one for the two ways that agency is preserved. Different rhetoric is used for different parties. Jackson then discusses that "nesting: bombing in the name of civilized humanity" is a strategy to act abroad in a way that abuses traditional state sovereignty. "Nesting" is thus another way of using rhetoric in order to achieve a certain goal. Jackson concludes the chapter saying "actions are caused by the specific configuration of rhetorical resources brought to bear at a given point in time."

This argument implies that actors in the international system are going to act as they want, and that these actors will achieve "legitimation" through rhetoric. Even those who abide by a more realist philosophy use rhetoric in order to accomplish goals. Just like rhetoric was used to legitimize bombing Serbia, which was considered a purely humanitarian cause, rhetoric was used by President Bush when he wanted to invade Iraq. His rhetoric alienated the international community, but it also put Congress and US citizens behind the war, at least temporarily. One could also argue that the world may perceive the United States very differently if it was more cautious about the rhetoric it used in the international community.