The Language of American Presidents

Abstract

In the preceding chapter, I argued that there exist certain mythic political themes—widely accepted, but empirically unsubstantiated, causally simple explanatory theses—that are evoked by politicians and journalists when explaining political events. For instance, Ronald Reagan evokes the theme of the Conspiratorial Enemy when explaining events in Central America and justifying his policies there. According to Reagan, the revolution in El Salvador is the product of the machinations of Marxist-Leninist revolutionaries who are in league with or even controlled by the governments of Nicaragua, Cuba, and the Soviet Union. Such is the “explanatory” power of this mythic theme that Reagan can explain why the revolutionaries in El Salvador might have whatever successes they have without conceding that they have significant popular support: the government of Ei Salvador can hardly be expected to defend itself against so formidable an army of enemies. This mythic thesis correspondingly warrants U.S. assistance to the government of Ei Salvador to thwart aggression from outside. Such is the dual character of a mythic thesis: it explain certain things and justifies various courses of action.