Deconstructing Eric Zemmour's Political Discourse: An Exploration of Extreme Right Ideology

Abstract

This master's thesis examines the political discourse of Eric Zemmour, a French writer and politician known for his far-right views. The thesis is divided into three chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of Zemmour's rhetoric.

In the first chapter, the thesis analyzes the rhetoric of the extreme right and its connection to the fascist tradition, specifically citing the Italian fascism and its major exponent, Giovanni Giolitti, and his work "Origins and Doctrine of Fascism." The chapter examines the roots of far-right ideology and its impact on contemporary political discourse.

The second chapter provides a detailed biography of Eric Zemmour, tracing his upbringing and education, as well as his career as a writer and political figure. The chapter also analyzes some of Zemmour's most representative works to extract the underlying political and social themes of his thought.

The third chapter focuses on Zemmour's campaign speech for the French presidential elections, which he uploaded to his YouTube channel. The chapter uses discourse analysis to examine the content and communicative techniques employed by Zemmour, with a particular emphasis on markers of far-right ideology.

Overall, this thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of Eric Zemmour's political rhetoric, highlighting the ways in which his discourse draws on and reinforces far-right ideology. Through an examination of Zemmour's biography, works, and campaign speech, the thesis sheds light on the contemporary political landscape in France and the challenges posed by the far-right discourse.