Offers a conceptual foundation for nonviolent rhetoric.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.
Tables and Figures Acknowledgments Foreword by Tom H. Hastings Introduction 1. Everyday Peacemaking: Nonviolent Communication and Rhetoric IntroductionThe Purpose of This BookThe Problem DefinedTools for Analyzing NonviolenceSummary 2. Rhetoric, Media, and Public Relations: Evolving Nonviolent Communication with Rhetorical Theory Rhetoric in the Service of Social KnowledgeEngaging the Media RhetoricallyPublic Relations and the Peace MovementInternational 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 CommunicationWhy Peace and Nonviolence Is Missing from the Speech Communication CurriculumA Rationale for Teaching Peace and Nonviolence in the ClassroomSome Preliminary Conclusions 4. The Spitfire Grill: Nonviolence as Social Power Rediscovering NonviolenceA Nonviolent Reading of FilmThe Difference Between Nonviolence and PacifismCritics' ReviewsStructural ViolenceThe Issue of "Believability" in Nonviolence and ViolenceSome Conclusions about Nonviolence in Film 5. The Politics of Nonviolent Pragmatism: Kiro Gligorov at the United Nations Gligorov the PeacemakerTheoretical Significance of Nonviolent RhetoricCross-Cultural Rhetoric at the United NationsHistorical BackgroundGligorov’s Rhetorical Ace: "The Nightmare Scenario"AnalysisProspects for Peace 6. Nonviolence in Pink: The Visual Rhetoric of Aung San Suu Kyi Essentializing and Nonviolent TheoryPicture Theory and SpectacleAung San Suu KyiNonviolent Rhetoric in Visual FormEngendering DemocracyConclusion: Metapictures in Nonterritorial Democracy 7. A Rhetorical Climate: The Power of Hope in Big Sky Country The Problem with SituationClimate: Concept Definition and Supporting Data"Rhetoric as a Way of Being:" The Experience of Hate CrimesThe Case: A Changing Climate in Big Sky CountryDiscussion: Utility of Rhetorical Climate ConstructConclusion 8. Conclusion: Toward a Theory of Nonviolent Rhetoric Informing Rhetorical Theory with Nonviolent TheoryTransforming Perceptions of Possible Peace through Rhetorical MeansConclusion APPENDIX 1. Rhetoric and Nonviolence Forms of Nonviolent RhetoricRhetoric as True Nonviolent ActionPresumed 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