Mad conservatism in Glenn Beck: a Discourse Analysis.

Abstract

This Bachelor's thesis examines Glen Beck's place in American conservative discourse by analysing phrases and topics he used in his self-titled talk show while covering the Park 51 Islamic community center controversy in New York. It seeks to answer the question how Glenn Beck's claim to the truth relates to American conservative discourse in the instance of the 'Ground Zero Mosque' controversy. It shows a strong relation between Beck's belief in religous freedom and American conservative doctrines of foundationatism and anti-relativism, as well as Beck's belief in Judeo-Christian foundations and American conservative adherence to 'religion as truth and moral guide'. Yet Beck mostly excludes these themes in his discussion of the controversy, suggesting he does so because they do not support and would even contradict his argument against the community center.