Discursive Strategies of Power and NGOS: Manipulating Success and Achievements

Abstract

This article presents the results of a discourse analysis of the governmental and public rhetoric accompanying the modern transformation processes of the welfare state. Recent studies show a lack of awareness among citizens and a continuing distrust of key actors in social policy, especially non-state providers of social services. Our focus is on official speeches and interviews with the representatives of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation, the President, the Government, regional ministries, and leaders of NGOs. The empirical base of the study was 65 media sources (transcripts of speeches and journalistic articles). Based on the ideas of critical discourse analysis, namely the concept of T. Van Dijk, the emphasis was made on how state structures shape the discourse of power, what manipulation tools are used to maintain a dominant position, and how the nonprofit sector defends its right to actively participate in the implementation of social policy. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the main discursive strategy of the authorities and NGOs is the strategy of self-presentation, the purpose of which is to create a positive image in a situation where it is necessary to justify public expectations. The results showed that the information field around the processes of transforming the welfare state on both sides is characterized by a desire for manipulation, excessive demonstration of success, and not by the intent to comprehensively analyze the situation in the field of social services from the point of view of the criteria of objectivity, impartiality, authority and truthfulness. The existing rhetorical context, both on the part of the authorities and NGOs, does not fully contribute to the formation of institutional trust in various state and public structures responsible for solving the social problems of Russian society, and requires significant adjustment.