AN INVESTIGATION INTO "THE NEW NATIONALISM" BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS (CDA) APPROACH

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to interpret Theodore Roosevelt’s idea, conveying as “The New Nationalism” by means of critical discourse analysis (CDA). Roosevelt’s political ideas stand for the crucial ideological change in American politics, towards the progressive nationalism. Applying Norman Fairclough's CDA, this work aims at getting to the roots of the discursive maneouvres, power relations, and socio-political consequences that have been carefully woven into Roosevelt's language. The purpose of this study is a critical analysis of narrative, symbols and metaphors in Roosevelt's discourse. This analysis will be used to enable understanding how "The New Nationalism" constructed the ideas of citizenship, democracy and national identity in the beginning of the last century. The results of this investigation allow for a deeper understanding of the links among language, ideology and politics, as well as help to reveal the nationalistic legacy that continues to shape identities of present day citizens through politics.