The Rhetoric of Modern Statesmanship

The issue of rhetoric and modern statesmanship is divided into four topics: the historical and philosophical background; problems of contemporary presidential rhetoric; the rhetoric of foreign policy and the rhetoric of discourse among statesmen. David Clinton addresses Tocqueville, democracy, and the moral issue in American statecraft. Halford Ryan looks at FDR’s presidential rhetoric; Robert Orben examines speechmaking in the Ford administration; Gaddis Smith turns his attention to Carter’s political rhetoric and Tom Griscom concentrates on Reagan’s rhetoric. In the area of foreign policy, Forrest C. Pogue dissects the Marshall Plan and the Harvard speech; General George M. Seignious II evaluates the rhetoric and reality of change in the Soviet Union and Ambassador John W. Tuthill gives us Jean Monnetothe man and the vision. In conclusion, Ladd Hamilton looks at presidential rhetoric and political discourse while Russell Baker provides an overview of presidential humor, rhetoric, and social criticism. Co-published with the Miller Center of Public Affairs.