The Alternative for Germany (AfD). Analysis of a new right-wing populism

Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. Context: history and understanding of the AfD

3. Theoretical & analytical framework

3.1 CDA as ontology, theory and analytical tool

3.2 Social constructionism

3.3 Critical discourse analysis

3.4 Fairclough’s approach to critical discourse analysis

3.5 Representations

3.6 Theories of populism

3.7 Agenda-Setting

4. Literature review of previous research

4.1 Wodak’s analysis of right-wing populist discourse

4.2 Previous findings about the discourse of the AfD

5. Methodology, method and data selection

5.1 Why a social constructionist approach?

5.2 Study design: CDA as a methodological framework

5.2.1 Discursive practices:

5.2.2 Text

5.2.3 Sociocultural practice

5.3 Sample selection and corpus construction

5.4 Reflection on methodology & ethics

6. Research results & analysis

6.1 Level of discursive practice

6.1.1 Interdiscursivity: Discursive types and genres

6.1.2 Intertextuality

6.1.3 Presuppositions

6.2 Textual level of analysis

6.2.1 Themes identified

6.2.2 Transivity

6.2.3 Word meaning

6.2.4 Modality

6.2.5 Metaphors

6.2.6 Ethos

6.2.7 Discursive strategies in the text

6.3 Summarizing the analysis

7. Discussion

8. Conclusion

9. References

Objectives & Themes

This thesis examines the political communication of the "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) party to determine how its rhetoric functions as a form of right-wing populist discourse. By applying a critical discourse analysis framework based on Fairclough and Wodak, the research explores how the AfD's communicative strategies challenge established political norms and reproduce broader ideological formations within Germany and Europe.

• The construction and utilization of right-wing populist discourse by the AfD.
• Methods of challenging mainstream political consensus and established discourse.
• The relationship between AfD communication and historical revisionism.
• The conceptualization of identity, nationalism, and "the Other" (specifically migrants and Muslims).
• Analysis of media strategies and the role of populist rhetoric in the political field.

Excerpt from the book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Presents the motivation for studying the AfD's discourse, establishing the research questions and the theoretical framework of critical discourse analysis.

2. Context: history and understanding of the AfD: Outlines the historical political landscape in Germany and the emergence of the AfD, including its internal ideological struggles and electoral successes.

3. Theoretical & analytical framework: Discusses the foundation of the research, specifically social constructionism, critical discourse analysis (CDA), and populist theory.

4. Literature review of previous research: Reviews existing empirical studies on right-wing populist rhetoric by Ruth Wodak and previous discourse analyses of the AfD.

5. Methodology, method and data selection: Details the qualitative research approach, the selection of communicative events, and the ethical considerations of the study.

6. Research results & analysis: Analyzes the selected corpus across levels of discourse and text to identify key populist strategies and linguistic patterns.

7. Discussion: Explores the broader sociocultural implications of the identified discursive patterns, focusing on nationalism and the challenge to the established political order.

8. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings and their significance for understanding right-wing populist influence in contemporary Germany.

Keywords

Alternative for Germany, AfD, Right-wing Populism, Critical Discourse Analysis, Political Communication, Nationalism, Identity, Immigration, Anti-establishment, Hegemony, Revisionism, Media Populism, Discursive Strategy, Germany, Islamophobia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this thesis?

The research focuses on analyzing the political communication of the German party "Alternative for Germany" (AfD) to understand its rhetoric as a form of right-wing populism.

What are the primary themes identified in the AfD's discourse?

The main themes include the alleged misdoing of the political elite, the defense of German identity, and the framing of immigration as a significant social and security problem.

What is the central research question?

The research asks how the AfD's discourse can be understood as right-wing populism, how it challenges mainstream political discourses, and how it reproduces specific ideological and social practices.

Which methodology is employed in this study?

The study utilizes Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), primarily drawing on the framework developed by Norman Fairclough and supplemented by the discourse-historical approach of Ruth Wodak.

What does the main body of the work examine?

The main body examines six communicative events, including party programs and political speeches, by analyzing them through the levels of discursive practice and textual organization.

Which keywords best characterize the work?

Key terms include AfD, Right-wing Populism, Critical Discourse Analysis, Nationalism, Immigration, Identity, and Political Hegemony.

How does the AfD use historical references in their rhetoric?

The party often employs a revisionist perspective on history, questioning the focus on the Nazi era and advocating for a shift towards a more nationalistic, proud narrative of German history.

How does the party handle the concept of integration?

The AfD challenges the concept of integration, often arguing that it has failed and that migrants should instead "adapt" to a German "guiding culture" (Leitkultur).