Citation

Gavriely-Nuri D. Discourse Soc. 2010; 21(5): 565-585.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0957926510375934

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Combining peace studies, cultural studies and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this study demonstrates a Cultural approach to Critical Discourse Analysis (CCDA) of political peace discourses. Inspired by the UNESCO definition for the ‘culture of peace’, the study offers two peace discourse models: a supportive peace discourse versus an oppressive one. From a theoretical perspective, CCDA enables a culturally comparative study of ‘peace’, its conceptual boundaries and semantic margins. From a practical perspective, application of such an approach within ‘local’ discourses may remove unique obstacles and cultural barriers to the realization of peace processes. Application of the CCDA to Israel’s political peace discourse revealed that use of the term in this discourse served two purposes: first, the construction of the Israeli speaker’s positive self-image as a peace-seeker together with delegitimation of rivals; and second, the facilitation of public acceptance of strategically problematic actions, primarily use of military violence, by their presentation as part of the peace discourse.