Political discourse involves more than just politicians’ words. It includes communication by voters, lobbyists, media, political parties, and other actors. Types of discourse include formal legislative speech, party speeches, public demonstrations, government announcements, and civil disobedience.
A classification of types of political discourse depends on the definition of what is meant by the political sphere. One might think that political discourse is simply the words and text produced by politicians, but there are many other participants in a democracy. It might be more accurate to examine the political activities of voters, lobbyists, media, political parties, and other actors in the political process, and examine the types of discourse they engage in. While discourse is primarily in the spoken and written word, the definition can be broadened to include communication by actions, such as in political rallies and sit-ins.
One of the more familiar types of political discourse involves speech and debate within a nation’s congress or parliament. This is generally formal in nature, including written speeches, motions, legislation debates, and committee discussions. The written text associated with this type of speech is the written record of speeches or bills and resolutions, along with legislation passed by the legislature.
Outside of formal legislative bodies, political parties may engage in speeches at conferences, conventions, and primary election campaigns. At election time, there is a direct discourse with the public at citizens’ doors. There is also debate between parties outside the Legislature, as seen in interviews, televised debates, and public meetings. Parties also issue their own literature in the form of newspapers or brochures to voters at the federal, state, or municipal level. Some politicians and pressure groups communicate their ideas through books, magazines and films, an example is the environmental movement.
Public demonstrations are another type of political speech. These combine actions such as processions or marches with the written word in the form of banners or slogans and the spoken word in sung requests or speeches made. Lobby groups and parties may also campaign through television ads or street advertisements, as well as communicating with constituencies through electronic media, including websites, telephone and text messaging, and video clips.
Government announcements on home and foreign affairs are another kind of talk. These include political announcements, general addresses, and bill announcements. Foreign policy statements are political speeches directed to the politicians or people of another country, and international discourse takes place through diplomatic exchanges or at an international body such as the United Nations. Treaty negotiations and peace talks are also a type of political discourse. Dissidents in one country sometimes engage in political activity through civil disobedience, and a period in prison or house arrest can itself become a symbolic form of speech in some countries, even if the dissident is not permitted to communicate through speech spoken or written.
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