The ‘Us’ -vs- ‘Them’ Dichotomy in Biden’s Inaugural and First State of the Union Addresses: A Comparative Analysis in the Light of the Ideological Square Theory

Abstract

This qualitative-quantitative, descriptive critical analysis is intended to gain an insight of the discursive and ideological nature of the presidential political discourse of the United States as representative of the U.S. political culture during one of the most extra ordinary turbulent circumstances in the history of the country. Without doubt, the political situation in the U.S. influences global affairs. Therefore, this study explores the Inaugural and State of the Union addresses by U.S. president Joe Biden as two forms of political discourse at the heart of American democracy in order to unpack their ideological underpinnings. To this end, the study applies the principle of the Ideological Square in order to define the ideology of the U.S. administration to counter effect the societal polarization that preceded the 2020 presidential inauguration. Analysis revealed discourse marked by a dichotomy of positive Self and negative Other presentation which resonates with the critical contextual background. In addition, the investigation showcased the rhetoric of American political discourse and highlights similarities and differences in the usage of discursive strategies in the two addresses.