Conclusion: Oratory and Rhetoric in Democratic Party Politics

Abstract

The contributors to this book have each analysed the oratory and rhetoric of a significant figure from the Democratic Party’s history, ranging from John F. Kennedy in the 1960s to Barack Obama in the 2010s. Rather than repeating the specific conclusions which each of these chapters reach about their featured orator, this conclusion instead focuses upon the three modes of persuasion identified by Aristotle, ethos, pathos, and logos, which have been drawn upon throughout. In doing so, it addressed whether, viewed through this overarching analytical prism, we can make any generalisable observations about Democratic politicians’ oratory in relation to these key elements of effective rhetoric. Stated briefly, Is there a particular style of oratory that clearly characterises successful Democratic speakers? The short reply is ‘No, but …’