What is it about?
This book examines how the personalization of politics is reflected in language. It focuses on the use of personal pronouns such as "I," and "we," in U.S. presidential campaign speeches, showing how politicians construct images of individual leadership while also creating collective identities. By analyzing these subtle choices, the book reveals how language makes abstract political ideas more tangible and personal, and how it supports the growing prominence of politicians as individuals in public life.
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Why is it important?
This book shows how even small words like “I” and “we” can make a big difference in politics. By looking at U.S. presidential campaign speeches, it reveals how politicians use pronouns to build a personal connection with voters and present themselves not just as leaders, but as relatable people. It’s a fresh and engaging take on how language shapes politics today.
Perspectives
From my perspective, this book is about showing how the smallest words can reveal the biggest shifts in politics. I hope readers will see that language is not just decoration in political speeches — it is a powerful tool that shapes how we connect with leaders and how leaders connect with us.
Lilla Petronella Szabó
Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Person in Politics, August 2025, John Benjamins,
DOI: 10.1075/dapsac.107.
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