Date of Award

Spring 8-1-2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Communication

First Advisor

David W. Worley

Second Advisor

Debra Worley

Third Advisor

Koji Fuse

Abstract

This thesis investigates the differences in the propaganda tactics employed by Western and Chinese cultures, as informed by ancient Chinese philosophies and Western propaganda research. Specifically, this thesis focuses on developing 14 Chinese strategic propaganda tactics by using creative transformation approach. Thereafter, using textual criticism, these tactics are applied to the pre-war rhetoric of the immediate former President of the U.S., George H. W. Bush and the current President of the U.S., George W. Bush in order to test the validity of the rhetorical taxonomy. The results of this thesis demonstrate that George H. W. Bush preferred positive rather than negative Chinese propaganda tactics in his wartime presidential radio addresses. On the contrary, George W. Bush employed Chinese propaganda tactics found in both Yang (positive) and Yin (negative) categories. This thesis also shows that Rightfulness, Wearing Hat, Alliance, and Repeated Persistence are the most often used Chinese propaganda tactics in two Bushs' presidential addresses. The comparison between 14 Chinese propaganda tactics and seven propaganda devices shows that six of seven propaganda devices share similar meaning with Chinese propaganda tactics; Transfer is unique to seven propaganda devices not close to any Chinese propaganda tactics.

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