THE ART OF POLITICAL SPEECH: THE ROLE OF CONGRATULATORY RHETORIC IN BUILDING UNITY AND LEGITIMACY

This thesis explores the function of congratulatory rhetoric within political speeches, analyzing how such expressions serve to unify audiences, reinforce legitimacy, and establish a narrative of collective achievement. By examining historical and contemporary examples, this study investigates the linguistic strategies employed by political leaders and the impact of congratulatory messages on public perception and political culture. The findings highlight the dual role of congratulations as both a tool for fostering solidarity and a mechanism for asserting authority within political discourse.