Rhetoric of the People

Since 1983, when the West German public elected several of their party members to representative seats in the Bundestag, the Greens (Die Grunen) have been a political force. A Rhetoric of the People studies how the German Greens have evolved a rhetorical style that is characteristic of a social movement, voicing citizen dissatisfaction with representative democracy and the insensitive decision making of traditional political and economic structures. Authors Coleman and Coleman discuss the Greens as part of a significant global environmental movement, and as a voice that advocates a new politics based on the key notions of ecology, equal rights, grassroots democracy, self-determination, Third World concerns, and peace.

A Rhetoric of the People concentrates on the Greens' rhetorical vision as presented in their public utterances and political platforms. To furnish a context for appreciating the Greens' persuasive efforts, the authors examine green argumentative stances in general, then present a brief review of the global environmental movement and a discussion of the evolution of the German Green Party. What follows is essentially a descriptive study that highlights the verbal discourse of the Greens as revealed in their official party statements. The authors conclude by exploring some of the issues and problems presently facing the Greens, and contemplating the future of the party. Recommended for sociologists, political scientists, environmentalists, and communications scholars.

WILLIAM E. COLEMAN, JR. is Professor and Chair of the Department of Speech, Communication and Theatre Arts at Mount Union College. His academic background is in rhetorical theory and criticism, and he is coauthor of The Rhetoric of Western Thought.

WILLIAM E. COLEMAN, SR., a retired engineer from LTV Steel Corporation, has been an adjunct German language instructor at Youngstown State University.