40 Top Iranian Toxic Rhetorical Techniques
Chat GPT analyzes the rhetorical techniques that "critics" might consider "toxic"
This is a continuation of my research using AI to unmask rhetoric and systems.
ChatGTP Prompt:
Q: What rhetorical techniques do Iranians use that some consider “toxic”?
Categories:
III. Political Repression
V. Regionalism & Interventionism
VI. Cultural & Religious Politics
VII. Ideological Framing
VIII. Emotional Manipulation & Victimhood
RESULTS:
I. Nationalism & Identity
Anti-Western Othering
Definition: Framing the West (especially the U.S. and Europe) as morally corrupt, imperialist, and hostile to Islamic values.
Effect: Reinforces nationalistic sentiment and fosters distrust towards the West.
Why it’s Toxic: It deepens the divide between Iran and the West, hindering diplomatic dialogue and peaceful relations.
Rhetorical Device: Demonization, Othering
Islamic Exceptionalism
Definition: Asserting the superiority of Islamic governance and values over secular or non-Islamic political systems.
Effect: Builds national pride and justifies theocratic rule.
Why it’s Toxic: It alienates non-Islamic nations and creates internal divisions, while justifying authoritarian practices.
Rhetorical Device: Appeal to Authority, Religious Framing
Victimization of Iran’s Youth
Definition: Portraying the younger generation as victims of Western cultural imperialism and exploitation.
Effect: Mobilizes public support by presenting youth as defenders of national identity.
Why it’s Toxic: It reinforces isolationism and limits opportunities for young people to engage with the global community.
Rhetorical Device: Victimhood Narrative, Emotional Appeal
Revolutionary Heroism
Definition: Glorifying the 1979 Islamic Revolution and presenting it as a model for oppressed nations.
Effect: Justifies the legitimacy of the current regime and reinforces its power.
Why it’s Toxic: It can be used to justify authoritarian control, suppress dissent, and delay necessary reforms.
Rhetorical Device: Heroization, Glorification
Claiming the Role of Regional Savior
Definition: Portraying Iran as the protector of oppressed groups in the Middle East, such as Palestinians and Shiite communities.
Effect: Strengthens Iran’s leadership role in the region and justifies interventions.
Why it’s Toxic: It exacerbates regional conflicts and embroils Iran in the internal struggles of other nations.
Rhetorical Device: Framing, Nationalism
Nationalist Appeal to "Ancient Iran"
Definition: Citing Iran’s pre-Islamic history, particularly the Persian Empire, to emphasize Iran’s ancient and culturally superior civilization.
Effect: Reinforces cultural pride and national identity.
Why it’s Toxic: It marginalizes religious minorities and excludes other narratives, contributing to sectarianism.
Rhetorical Device: Historical Appeal, Nationalism
The "Sacred Defense" Narrative
Definition: Reframing the Iran-Iraq War as a divinely sanctioned "sacred defense" against foreign aggression.
Effect: Elevates the legitimacy of military policies and consolidates internal support for the regime.
Why it’s Toxic: It can justify militarization and oppression in the name of national defense.
Rhetorical Device: War Heroization, Religious Framing
Rejection of Democracy as a Western Construct
Definition: Dismissing democracy as a Western-imposed idea incompatible with Islamic values.
Effect: Justifies autocratic rule and delegitimizes calls for democratic reforms.
Why it’s Toxic: This rhetoric undermines democratic ideals and justifies authoritarian governance.
Rhetorical Device: Ideological Framing, Anti-Westernism
Framing the Nuclear Program as a National Right
Definition: Claiming that Iran has an inherent right to develop nuclear technology, positioning it as a matter of national pride.
Effect: Strengthens national identity and defies international pressure.
Why it’s Toxic: It escalates tensions and contributes to global insecurity.
Rhetorical Device: National Security Framing, Sovereignty Appeal
II. Hostility & Aggression
The "Great Satan" Labeling
Definition: Referring to the United States as the “Great Satan,” accusing it of manipulating global events to undermine Iran.
Effect: Fosters anti-American sentiment and strengthens Iran’s resolve to resist U.S. influence.
Why it’s Toxic: It deepens mistrust and promotes hostile relations with the U.S.
Rhetorical Device: Demonization, Name-Calling
Zionist Conspiracy
Definition: Framing Israel and its supporters as part of a global Zionist conspiracy aimed at undermining Iran and Islamic values.
Effect: Strengthens anti-Israeli sentiment and mobilizes support for Iran’s resistance against Israel.
Why it’s Toxic: This perpetuates misinformation, fuels hatred, and impedes the potential for peaceful solutions in the region.
Rhetorical Device: Conspiracy Thinking, Scapegoating
Blaming the "Foreign Enemy"
Definition: Shifting blame for domestic issues, including economic problems or political discontent, onto foreign powers like the U.S. or Israel.
Effect: Diverts attention from internal governance issues and consolidates support for the regime.
Why it’s Toxic: This prevents the government from addressing its own internal problems and fosters an adversarial mindset.
Rhetorical Device: Scapegoating, Deflection
Blaming Imperialism for Economic Struggles
Definition: Claiming that Iran’s economic challenges are the result of ongoing imperialist policies from the U.S. and other Western nations.
Effect: Diverts responsibility from domestic economic mismanagement and fuels nationalistic sentiment.
Why it’s Toxic: It prevents the government from addressing its own economic problems, perpetuating poor governance.
Rhetorical Device: Scapegoating, Deflection
Framing Political Dissent as Foreign Intervention
Definition: Labeling opposition groups as being influenced or controlled by foreign powers, particularly the U.S. or Israel.
Effect: Delegitimizes political dissent and creates a climate of fear and distrust.
Why it’s Toxic: It suppresses legitimate political debate and stifles democratic reform.
Rhetorical Device: Scapegoating, Deflection
Rejection of Humanitarian Intervention
Definition: Rejecting any foreign military or diplomatic intervention in the name of human rights, framing it as a cover for Western imperialism.
Effect: Prevents international involvement in humanitarian crises, such as those in Syria or Yemen.
Why it’s Toxic: This rhetoric justifies inaction in the face of human suffering and prevents global cooperation on humanitarian issues.
Rhetorical Device: Sovereignty Framing, Anti-Imperialism
Manipulation of Islamic Brotherhood
Definition: Leveraging the idea of a united Muslim world (Ummah) to justify Iranian interventions and alliances, particularly with groups that share a Shiite identity.
Effect: Solidifies Iran’s role as a regional power and galvanizes support among Shiite communities.
Why it’s Toxic: It fuels sectarian violence, particularly between Sunni and Shiite factions, exacerbating regional instability.
Rhetorical Device: Religious Solidarity, Nationalism
III. Political Repression
Demonization of Reformist Movements
Definition: Labeling political reform movements and activists as foreign agents or traitors, accusing them of attempting to destabilize the Islamic Republic.
Effect: Delegitimizes calls for democratic reforms and paints activists as enemies of the state.
Why it’s Toxic: This stifles democratic debate and leads to the persecution of dissidents, weakening civil society.
Rhetorical Device: Demonization, Character Assassination
Vilification of Women’s Rights Activists
Definition: Labeling women’s rights activists and feminists as Western pawns or agents of chaos attempting to destabilize Iranian society.
Effect: Delegitimizes the women’s rights movement and suppresses calls for gender equality.
Why it’s Toxic: This rhetoric silences vital social progress and restricts the rights and freedoms of women in Iran.
Rhetorical Device: Demonization, Misogyny
Terrorist Labeling of Opponents
Definition: Labeling opposition groups and critics as “terrorists” or “traitors” in order to delegitimize their voices and silence criticism.
Effect: Creates an atmosphere of fear and discourages political participation.
Why it’s Toxic: It stifles dissent, targets peaceful activists, and contributes to a culture of repression and fear.
Rhetorical Device: Demonization, Labeling
Selective Interpretation of Islam
Definition: Interpreting Islamic law and values selectively to support the government’s policies, often in contrast with more progressive interpretations.
Effect: Strengthens the theocratic governance structure and delegitimizes alternative voices within the Muslim community.
Why it’s Toxic: It can result in the marginalization of minority interpretations of Islam and justify authoritarian practices.
Rhetorical Device: Religious Justification, Selective Framing
Blaming the West for Regional Instability
Definition: Shifting blame for regional instability, such as in Syria or Iraq, onto Western interventions or policies.
Effect: Diverts attention from Iran’s own role in regional conflicts, consolidating public opinion at home while deflecting responsibility.
Why it’s Toxic: This undermines any potential for self-reflection or reforms in Iranian foreign policy and promotes further regional unrest.
Rhetorical Device: Blame Shifting, Deflection
Victimization through Religious Persecution
Definition: Claiming that Iran, as a Shia-majority country, is under constant threat from Sunni extremists and external forces, which justifies internal repression.
Effect: Fosters a siege mentality and justifies repressive policies as defensive measures.
Why it’s Toxic: It overlooks Iran’s role in regional conflicts and can be used to suppress internal opposition and minorities.
Rhetorical Device: Victimhood, Defensiveness
Political Loyalty as National Loyalty
Definition: Equating loyalty to the government with absolute loyalty to the nation and portraying dissent as disloyalty.
Effect: Suppresses opposition and fosters a climate of self-censorship.
Why it’s Toxic: This stifles free expression and undermines the democratic process, as it creates an environment where dissent is considered unpatriotic.
Rhetorical Device: Loyalty Framing, Patriotic Appeal
Rejection of International Norms
Definition: Discrediting international institutions like the United Nations or the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as biased and under the control of Western powers.
Effect: Undermines global efforts to create unified international norms and reduces the effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy.
Why it’s Toxic: This creates a narrative where Iran sees itself as outside the global system, making it harder to resolve conflicts or engage constructively on global issues.
Rhetorical Device: Discrediting, Paranoia
IV. Sovereignty & State Power
Divine Right of Leadership
Definition: Framing the Supreme Leader as divinely chosen or appointed, thus beyond reproach and accountable only to God.
Effect: Reinforces the legitimacy of theocratic rule and places the Supreme Leader’s decisions above any earthly criticism.
Why it’s Toxic: This stifles any form of political opposition, as it suggests that dissent is not just politically but spiritually wrong.
Rhetorical Device: Religious Justification, Authority Appeal
Sovereignty Over Human Rights
Definition: Prioritizing national sovereignty over international human rights frameworks, often defending policies that violate individual rights as part of protecting Iran's independence.
Effect: Justifies human rights violations by casting them as necessary for national security and sovereignty.
Why it’s Toxic: This undermines global human rights efforts and allows the government to oppress minority groups or silence critics without international backlash.
Rhetorical Device: Sovereignty Framing, Moral Exceptionism
Economic Self-Reliance
Definition: Promoting the idea that Iran must be self-sufficient economically, often framing sanctions or foreign economic ties as detrimental to national autonomy.
Effect: Justifies isolationist policies and redirects the public’s focus away from Iran’s economic challenges.
Why it’s Toxic: This rhetoric can exacerbate economic problems by isolating Iran from global trade and discouraging foreign investment.
Rhetorical Device: Nationalism, Economic Framing
Islamic Solidarity and Resistance
Definition: Portraying Iran as the leader of a broader Islamic resistance against Western imperialism, particularly focusing on the Palestinian cause and support for regional proxies like Hezbollah.
Effect: Solidifies Iran’s role as a regional power and galvanizes support among Islamic groups, but also intensifies sectarian divisions.
Why it’s Toxic: It can foster militaristic regional policies, exacerbate sectarian conflict, and legitimize violent resistance movements that destabilize the region.
Rhetorical Device: Framing, Appeal to Unity
Framing Iran as a "Victim" of Global Powers
Definition: Portraying Iran as constantly oppressed by foreign powers, particularly the U.S. and Israel, which justifies its defiant actions.
Effect: Mobilizes public support and strengthens Iran’s resolve to resist foreign influence.
Why it’s Toxic: This prevents Iran from critically engaging with its own policies, hindering necessary reform.
Rhetorical Device: Victimhood, Nationalism
V. Regionalism & Interventionism
Manipulating the Nuclear Issue
Definition: Using Iran's nuclear program as a bargaining chip in international diplomacy.
Effect: Gains diplomatic leverage while delaying or deflecting international pressure.
Why it’s Toxic: This undermines trust in diplomatic negotiations and heightens global tensions over nuclear proliferation.
Rhetorical Device: Strategic Ambiguity, Delay Tactics
Selective Support for Regional Allies
Definition: Supporting regional actors (e.g., Syria, Hezbollah) as part of Iran’s broader regional strategy of resistance.
Effect: Reinforces Iran’s leadership role in the region and strengthens alliances with like-minded groups.
Why it’s Toxic: It can fuel regional instability and drag Iran into conflicts that don’t align with its core interests.
Rhetorical Device: Political Alliance, Regionalism
VI. Cultural & Religious Politics
Cultural Islamism
Definition: Promoting a cultural agenda that reinforces strict Islamic codes and traditional values while rejecting secularism or modernity.
Effect: Encourages social conservatism and the suppression of alternative lifestyles and political ideas.
Why it’s Toxic: It can lead to human rights violations, especially for women and minorities, and stifles progress in society.
Rhetorical Device: Ideological Framing, Cultural Hegemony
Framing the West as "Decadent"
Definition: Portraying the Western world as morally decadent, highlighting cultural issues like secularism, LGBTQ rights, and materialism as examples of Western decline.
Effect: Positions Iran as the moral alternative to the West, appealing to conservative and religious sectors.
Why it’s Toxic: This creates a binary world view, making meaningful dialogue with the West more difficult and further polarizing global relations.
Rhetorical Device: Moral Contrast, Cultural Hegemony
Revolutionary Heroism
Definition: Glorifying the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and portraying it as a divine victory against imperialism, secularism, and foreign manipulation.
Effect: Strengthens the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic and justifies its actions.
Why it’s Toxic: This rhetoric can justify authoritarianism and suppress dissent, as it positions dissent as betrayal of the revolution’s ideals.
Rhetorical Device: Historical Framing, Heroization
Nationalist Appeal to "Ancient Iran"
Definition: Citing Iran’s pre-Islamic history, particularly the Persian Empire, to frame Iran as an ancient and culturally superior civilization.
Effect: Strengthens national identity and pride.
Why it’s Toxic: This alienates religious minorities and excludes other narratives of Iranian history, reinforcing sectarian tensions.
Rhetorical Device: Historical Appeal, Nationalism
VII. Ideological Framing
Moral Superiority in Diplomacy
Definition: Claiming that Iran’s policies, particularly its stance on issues like nuclear development, are based on a moral commitment to justice, equality, and independence.
Effect: Positions Iran as morally superior to its adversaries, creating a narrative where Iran is fighting against global hypocrisy.
Why it’s Toxic: This can lead to an inability to compromise in negotiations, as it casts Iran’s policies as righteous and beyond reproach.
Rhetorical Device: Moral Fr
VIII. Emotional Manipulation & Victimhood
Weaponizing the Nuclear Issue
Definition: Framing Iran’s nuclear program as a symbol of national pride and resistance against foreign pressures, particularly from the U.S.
Effect: Consolidates public support for nuclear development and portrays international objections as imperialist interference.
Why it’s Toxic: It makes diplomacy and peaceful negotiations more difficult, increasing the potential for military conflict.
Rhetorical Device: National Security Framing, Sovereignty Appeal
Islamic Victimhood Narrative
Definition: Claiming that Islam, and particularly Shia Islam, is under attack by the West and its allies, justifying Iran’s actions as defensive.
Effect: Builds a sense of solidarity among the Iranian population and the Muslim world while justifying aggressive foreign policies.
Why it’s Toxic: It fosters division, promotes paranoia, and justifies conflict in the name of religion.
Rhetorical Device: Victimhood, Religious Framing
Victimization of the Revolution
Definition: Portraying the 1979 Iranian Revolution as a divine victory against imperialism, secularism, and foreign manipulation.
Effect: Strengthens the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic by framing it as a righteous, divinely guided movement.
Why it’s Toxic: This narrative can justify repressive government actions and suppress alternative political ideologies.
Rhetorical Device: Heroization, Historical Framing
Blaming the West for Economic and Political Problems
Definition: Attributing Iran’s economic problems or political unrest to Western sanctions, interference, or imperialism.
Effect: Justifies the government's failure to address domestic problems by shifting the blame to external forces.
Why it’s Toxic: It prevents the government from addressing its own failings and fosters an "us versus them" mentality.
Rhetorical Device: Scapegoating, Deflection
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Thanks for your feedback. The AI Prompt is not designed to result in an objective determination, but to retrieve rhetoric thsy is judged toxic by SOME. The people who hold this opinion can be wrong. (It is their opinion.) Do you have a suggestion on how this could be communicated better?
What do you think of the results for some of the other countries AI has analyzed?
https://writing.openpolitics.com/t/rhetoric
To us Iranians, this is more a Western view of things hence quite incorrect in MANY aspects.