Le Pen and the FN: an Analysis of France's Changing Populism by Marlene Kathryn Lee Pierce B.A., Northwest University, 2016
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Le Pen and the FN: An analysis of France’s changing populism By Marlene Kathryn Lee Pierce B.A., Northwest University, 2016 A THESIS submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree MASTER OF ARTS Department of Communication Studies College of Arts and Sciences KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY Manhattan, Kansas 2019 Approved by: Major Professor Heather Woods Copyright © Marlene Pierce 2019. Abstract After her defeat in 2016 French presidential election, Marine Le Pen would not back down from the political spotlight. Instead, Le Pen would utilize the momentum she gained during the election to solidify herself as a formidable political figure and take her party to the next level. Nearly a year after her defeat she would give a speech in Lyon, France that establishes her place in the political milieu by rebranding her party from the Front National to Rassemblement National, or translated, National Rally. This thesis examines Marine Le Pen’s Lyonnaise address. Using a mixed method of Leff’s rhetorical reading, ideological criticism, and elements of visual and presidential rhetorical methods, this thesis examines two main themes in Le Pen’s Lyonnaise address: 1) a shift in focus from Jean-Marie to Marine Le Pen utilizing the persona of each and 2) an internationalizing of the previously nationalistic Front National. This analysis thus offers a detailed depiction of how populism is defined and redefined. As well, it clarifies the contours of populism encapsulated by the FN the thesis then looks at the history of the FN party in context of how the persona of its leaders shaped the party’s advocacy. Finally, the last thing that is examined is the ways in which this speech indicates an internationalizing FN and then the thesis offers broader implications and conclusions. This work offers important insight to how populist parties, which are notoriously volatile in their support, can stabilize and grow. It also highlights an increasing shift in isolated populist groups shifting their scope and operating on an international level. This research can add to existing literature and offer a unique look into a previously untranslated artifact. KEY WORDS: Populism, Marine Le Pen, Transnational Populism, Persona, Rhetorical Reading Table of Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ vi Acknowledgments......................................................................................................................... vii Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... ix Chapter 1 - Introduction and Method.............................................................................................. 1 Artifact ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Research Approach ................................................................................................................... 11 Method .................................................................................................................................. 12 Research Questions ............................................................................................................... 22 Chapter 2 - Literature Review ....................................................................................................... 26 Populism: What It is and Where It Comes From ...................................................................... 26 Subcategories of Populism ........................................................................................................ 31 The Front National .................................................................................................................... 38 The FNs Populist History ...................................................................................................... 41 Chapter 3 - Le Pens Influence ....................................................................................................... 45 The FNs Relationship to the Le Pens........................................................................................ 46 Jean-Marie’s Legacy ............................................................................................................. 47 Marine in Modern Times ...................................................................................................... 52 A New Era ................................................................................................................................ 56 Le Pen’s White Legacy ............................................................................................................. 58 Lyonnaise address as reifying a specific brand of Whiteness ............................................... 61 Chapter 4 - An Internationalizing FN ........................................................................................... 66 Intro ........................................................................................................................................... 66 Context: Starting with a Bannon ........................................................................................... 68 Nationalism to Transnationalism .............................................................................................. 73 Internationalizing Devices at Play ........................................................................................ 77 An Ode to Other Countries ............................................................................................... 78 A Word On the Logo ........................................................................................................ 85 Whiteness as a unifier ....................................................................................................... 90 France’s Historic Ties to Racialized Politics ................................................................ 92 iv Chapter 5 - Conclusions ................................................................................................................ 97 The Journey to International ..................................................................................................... 98 Implications ............................................................................................................................ 108 Real World Changes ........................................................................................................... 108 Contributions and Importance ................................................................................................ 112 Limitations .............................................................................................................................. 115 Further Study .......................................................................................................................... 117 Final Conclusions ................................................................................................................... 119 Bibliography ............................................................................................................................... 120 Appendix A - French Speech Transcription ............................................................................... 150 Appendix B - English Speech Translation .................................................................................. 157 v List of Figures Figure 4-1 The Front National Logo ............................................................................................. 86 Figure 4-2 The Rassemblement National's Logo .......................................................................... 87 Figure 4-3 The European Union Flag ........................................................................................... 88 vi Acknowledgments This thesis is a culmination of countless hours of work and over nineteen years of schooling. Throughout the years I’ve been blessed with mentors and professors who helped cultivate my talents and research interests. Jacob Witt, Colene Lind, Lenae Nofziger, Jeremiah Webster, and my committee, thank you for the support in the education process that led me to this moment. Without taking your classes I would not have continued through this process to the completion of my MA. They say it takes a village and you are mine in Academia. I’d like to specifically thank my advisor and committee for their input and guidance in this process as well. My advisor and committee chair, Heather Woods, went above and beyond in every stage of this process. Throughout this process Dr. Woods and I spent many meetings in her office working on completing this document. It would not be the high-quality caliber of research that it is today without her pushing me to be my best. My committee members, Alexander McVey and Nathaniel Birkhead, went above and beyond in their willingness to workshop chapters with me. All three of these individuals were compassionate and understanding as unforeseen medical and family issues delayed the creation and defense of this work. Additionally, I’d like to thank Raphaël Pinson, who helped me translate or confirm some of the more difficult sections of the speech. To my family, I can’t express enough how much your understanding and grace throughout this process was essential in finishing this thesis. I love