40 Top Saudi 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.
An earlier, *longer list of 100 techniques is also available..
ChatGTP Prompt:
Q: What rhetorical techniques do Saudis use that some consider “toxic”?
Categories:
A. Silencing & Delegitimization
B. Justification & Rationalization
F. Manipulation of International Perception
G. Authoritarian Control Tactics
RESULTS:
A. Silencing & Delegitimization
These techniques are aimed at stifling dissent and discrediting opposition.
Branding Criticism as Unpatriotic
Definition: Labeling dissent or criticism of the government as unpatriotic or disloyal to the nation.
Effect: Stifles opposition by making dissent seem morally or culturally wrong.
Why It's Toxic: It discourages legitimate political discourse and allows the government to suppress valid concerns by framing them as treasonous.
Rhetorical Device Type: Ad Hominem, Appeal to Patriotism
Nationalism through Historical Legacy
Definition: Emphasizing the historical significance of Saudi Arabia as the birthplace of Islam to galvanize national pride.
Effect: Fosters loyalty to the state and discourages questioning of government actions.
Why It's Toxic: It clouds criticism with nationalistic fervor, making any opposition feel unpatriotic or disrespectful.
Rhetorical Device Type: Historical Appeal, Nationalism
Framing Human Rights Abuses as “Western Criticism”
Definition: Dismissing foreign critiques of Saudi human rights records as biased or influenced by Western imperialism.
Effect: Discredits international calls for reform and portrays the government as the victim of external pressures.
Why It's Toxic: It deflects responsibility for human rights abuses and dismisses legitimate concerns as politically motivated.
Rhetorical Device Type: Blame-Shifting, Victimhood
Silencing with Religious Authority
Definition: Using the endorsement of religious figures or interpretations to dismiss opposition.
Effect: Co-opts religious legitimacy to marginalize critics and justify actions.
Why It's Toxic: It undermines the separation of religion from state and shuts down debate by appealing to an authority that cannot be questioned.
Rhetorical Device Type: Appeal to Authority, False Authority
Framing Political Opposition as Foreign Agents
Definition: Labeling political opponents or activists as being manipulated or funded by foreign governments or entities.
Effect: Discredits opposition as unpatriotic and under foreign influence, making it harder to rally support for reform.
Why It's Toxic: It frames legitimate political opposition as a national security threat and suppresses democratic participation.
Rhetorical Device Type: Conspiracy Theory, Deflection
Promoting Image Over Substance
Definition: Using global media and public relations campaigns to present a positive image of Saudi Arabia while concealing the realities of its governance.
Effect: Masks human rights abuses, lack of political freedoms, and other domestic issues behind a glossy, modernized image.
Why It's Toxic: It prevents meaningful change by creating a facade of progress and diverting attention from the real issues.
Rhetorical Device Type: Image Crafting, Propaganda
Religious Manipulation through State-Controlled Religious Leaders
Definition: Using religious leaders and figures, often controlled by the government, to support state policies.
Effect: Encourages the populace to accept the government’s actions as aligned with religious principles.
Why It's Toxic: It merges politics with religion, manipulating faith for political control, which undermines independent religious thought.
Rhetorical Device Type: Religious Manipulation, False Authority
Racializing the Opposition
Definition: Framing certain political groups, such as Shia minorities or expatriate communities, as threats to the national identity based on ethnicity or sect.
Effect: Uses identity politics to divide and alienate communities, creating scapegoats for social and political problems.
Why It's Toxic: It fosters division and conflict, stifling social cohesion by emphasizing racial or sectarian differences.
Rhetorical Device Type: Identity Politics, Sectarianism
B. Justification & Rationalization
These techniques are used to rationalize controversial actions or policies.
Victimhood Framing
Definition: Portraying Saudi Arabia as a victim of foreign powers, especially in relation to regional conflicts like Yemen.
Effect: Justifies aggressive actions and policies, including military intervention, as a defense against external threats.
Why It's Toxic: This reduces accountability for violent actions and shields the state from global criticism, positioning Saudi Arabia as blameless in its foreign policy choices.
Rhetorical Device Type: Victimhood Narrative, Blame-Shifting
Appeal to Stability
Definition: Justifying authoritarian rule by emphasizing the need for political stability in the face of external and internal threats.
Effect: Deflects criticism by framing authoritarianism as necessary for peace and order.
Why It's Toxic: It uses the fear of instability to justify repression, preventing political progress or reform.
Rhetorical Device Type: Appeal to Security, Fear Mongering
Legitimizing Violence through Religious Doctrine
Definition: Using religious texts or interpretations to justify military action and violence, especially in conflicts such as the war in Yemen.
Effect: Frames violent action as a religious duty, making it harder for international bodies to condemn such actions.
Why It's Toxic: It politicizes religion, distorting religious teachings to serve political ends and justifying human rights abuses.
Rhetorical Device Type: Religious Manipulation, Justification through Religion
Selective Modernization
Definition: Showcasing selected reforms (like allowing women to drive or expanding social freedoms) while maintaining rigid control over other aspects of society.
Effect: Creates a perception of progress, distracting from the lack of comprehensive reform in political and social freedoms.
Why It's Toxic: It misrepresents the level of reform and maintains an authoritarian system under the guise of modernization.
Rhetorical Device Type: Tokenism, False Progress
Stoking Fear of Shia Expansion
Definition: Framing conflicts in the region, especially in Yemen and Bahrain, as part of a larger struggle against Shia influence led by Iran.
Effect: Mobilizes Sunni Arab nationalism against perceived Iranian threats and justifies aggressive actions.
Why It's Toxic: It promotes sectarianism and conflict, exacerbating regional instability and shifting focus away from internal political issues.
Rhetorical Device Type: Sectarianism, Fear Mongering
Framing the Middle East as a "Global Battleground"
Definition: Portraying Saudi Arabia as a key player in a broader struggle for control over the Middle East, often linking its actions to global security.
Effect: Frames Saudi Arabia’s regional interventions as part of a larger, necessary effort to maintain international peace.
Why It's Toxic: It justifies Saudi military actions in the region while deflecting attention from its own role in escalating conflicts.
Rhetorical Device Type: Global Framing, Appeal to Global Security
Using National Tragedies for Political Gain
Definition: Exploiting national tragedies, such as attacks on Saudi nationals abroad or local natural disasters, to consolidate power and rally public support.
Effect: Exploits the collective emotional response to strengthen the government’s control over the populace.
Why It's Toxic: It manipulates public sentiment for political benefit, undermining genuine public concern or mourning.
Rhetorical Device Type: Exploitation of Emotion, Emotional Appeal
Rebranding Autocracy as Efficiency
Definition: Promoting the monarchy’s control as necessary for economic development and national efficiency.
Effect: Justifies autocratic rule by framing it as essential for progress and avoiding the inefficiencies of democracy.
Why It's Toxic: It normalizes autocracy as an efficient system of governance while repressing democratic ideals and political freedoms.
Rhetorical Device Type: Efficiency Argument, Autocracy Justification
C. Manipulation & Control
These techniques are used to manipulate public perception and control the narrative.
Silencing with Religious Authority
Definition: Using religious texts or interpretations to legitimize actions, often preventing scrutiny.
Effect: Diminishes the ability to question the government or its actions.
Why It's Toxic: It prevents open discussion by invoking religious justification for political actions.
Rhetorical Device Type: Appeal to Religion, Authority
Monarchical Charisma
Definition: Using the personal appeal and image of the monarchy to justify policies and actions, framing the king or crown prince as a benevolent leader.
Effect: Reinforces loyalty to the monarchy and promotes unquestioning trust in the ruler’s decisions.
Why It's Toxic: It fosters an authoritarian culture where leadership is viewed as infallible, preventing scrutiny and accountability.
Rhetorical Device Type: Charismatic Leadership, Appeal to Authority
Economic Dependence
Definition: Framing Saudi Arabia as indispensable to global economic security, particularly through its oil production and influence in OPEC.
Effect: Discourages criticism from other nations by presenting Saudi Arabia as crucial to the global economy.
Why It's Toxic: It shields the government from international accountability and allows it to bypass international norms by leveraging economic power.
Rhetorical Device Type: Economic Leverage, Appeal to Necessity
Divide and Conquer
Definition: Using sectarian or tribal divisions within the region to fragment opposition and maintain power.
Effect: Diminishes the ability of any cohesive opposition to form by exploiting societal divides.
Why It's Toxic: It weakens the potential for political reform or social change, creating an atmosphere of division and distrust within the populace.
Rhetorical Device Type: Divide and Conquer, Identity Politics
Framing Political Opposition as Foreign Agents
Definition: Labeling political opponents or activists as being manipulated or funded by foreign governments or entities.
Effect: Discredits opposition as unpatriotic and under foreign influence, making it harder to rally support for reform.
Why It's Toxic: It frames legitimate political opposition as a national security threat and suppresses democratic participation.
Rhetorical Device Type: Conspiracy Theory, Deflection
D. Deception & Manipulation
These techniques are used to deceive and mislead both domestic and international audiences.
Monarchical Charisma
Definition: Using the personal appeal and image of the monarchy to justify policies and actions, framing the king or crown prince as a benevolent leader.
Effect: Reinforces loyalty to the monarchy and promotes unquestioning trust in the ruler’s decisions.
Why It's Toxic: It fosters an authoritarian culture where leadership is viewed as infallible, preventing scrutiny and accountability.
Rhetorical Device Type: Charismatic Leadership, Appeal to Authority
Selective Modernization
Definition: Showcasing selected reforms (like allowing women to drive or expanding social freedoms) while maintaining rigid control over other aspects of society.
Effect: Creates a perception of progress, distracting from the lack of comprehensive reform in political and social freedoms.
Why It's Toxic: It misrepresents the level of reform and maintains an authoritarian system under the guise of modernization.
Rhetorical Device Type: Tokenism, False Progress
Rebranding the Saudi Vision as Progressive
Definition: Presenting the Vision 2030 program as a transformative, progressive plan, despite ongoing issues with human rights and freedom of expression.
Effect: Creates an image of reform while maintaining the status quo on political freedoms and repression.
Why It's Toxic: It allows the government to present itself as more progressive than it actually is, obscuring the reality of systemic issues.
Rhetorical Device Type: False Progress, Rebranding
E. Divide & Conquer
These techniques exploit social and political divisions to maintain control and weaken opposition.
Divide and Conquer
Definition: Using sectarian or tribal divisions within the region to fragment opposition and maintain power.
Effect: Diminishes the ability of any cohesive opposition to form by exploiting societal divides.
Why It's Toxic: It weakens the potential for political reform or social change, creating an atmosphere of division and distrust within the populace.
Rhetorical Device Type: Divide and Conquer, Identity Politics
Framing Human Rights Abuses as “Western Criticism”
Definition: Dismissing foreign critiques of Saudi human rights records as biased or influenced by Western imperialism.
Effect: Discredits international calls for reform and portrays the government as the victim of external pressures.
Why It's Toxic: It deflects responsibility for human rights abuses and dismisses legitimate concerns as politically motivated.
Rhetorical Device Type: Blame-Shifting, Victimhood
Promoting Image Over Substance
Definition: Using global media and public relations campaigns to present a positive image of Saudi Arabia while concealing the realities of its governance.
Effect: Masks human rights abuses, lack of political freedoms, and other domestic issues behind a glossy, modernized image.
Why It's Toxic: It prevents meaningful change by creating a facade of progress and diverting attention from the real issues.
Rhetorical Device Type: Image Crafting, Propaganda
Cultural Exceptionalism
Definition: Presenting Saudi cultural practices, including interpretations of Islam, as superior or uniquely correct in the global context.
Effect: Dismisses external critiques and elevates Saudi Arabia’s cultural practices as infallible.
Why It's Toxic: It fosters isolationism and prevents necessary societal reforms by dismissing global norms and values.
Rhetorical Device Type: Cultural Superiority, Ethnocentrism
Shifting Blame for Regional Instability
Definition: Attributing regional instability, such as the Syrian civil war or the rise of ISIS, solely to external factors or foreign interference.
Effect: Diverts attention away from Saudi Arabia’s own role in the destabilization of the region, particularly its support for certain rebel groups.
Why It's Toxic: It avoids accountability for Saudi Arabia’s actions in fostering instability in the Middle East.
Rhetorical Device Type: Scapegoating, Blame-Shifting
Exploiting National Tragedies for Political Gain
Definition: Using national tragedies, such as attacks on Saudi nationals abroad or local natural disasters, to consolidate power and rally public support.
Effect: Exploits the collective emotional response to strengthen the government’s control over the populace.
Why It's Toxic: It manipulates public sentiment for political benefit, undermining genuine public concern or mourning.
Rhetorical Device Type: Exploitation of Emotion, Emotional Appeal
Leveraging Oil Wealth for Diplomatic Influence
Definition: Using Saudi Arabia’s oil wealth to secure political and diplomatic leverage, particularly with Western nations.
Effect: Prevents foreign countries from criticizing Saudi Arabia’s internal policies due to their dependence on Saudi oil.
Why It's Toxic: It avoids scrutiny and human rights accountability by relying on strategic political alliances.
Rhetorical Device Type: Economic Leverage, Appeal to Power
Glamorizing the State as a Modernizing Force
Definition: Presenting Saudi Arabia’s reforms, such as Vision 2030, as transformative while continuing to repress political and civil liberties.
Effect: Creates an illusion of progress while maintaining autocratic rule.
Why It's Toxic: It misleads the public and international community into believing that significant political reforms are happening when they are not.
Rhetorical Device Type: False Progress, Propaganda
Stoking Fear of Radicalization
Definition: Using the rhetoric of counterterrorism to justify draconian laws and actions against religious or political minorities.
Effect: Frames all opposition as potential radical threats, leading to widespread surveillance and repression.
Why It's Toxic: It uses the fear of extremism to justify oppressive measures and stifle dissent.
Rhetorical Device Type: Fear Mongering, Preemptive Suppression
Shifting Focus to Religious Victimhood
Definition: Portraying religious freedom issues, such as the persecution of Shia Muslims or minority groups, as the result of external threats.
Effect: Diverts attention from internal religious intolerance by framing it as part of a larger geopolitical struggle.
Why It's Toxic: It allows internal religious policies to go unchallenged by externalizing blame.
Rhetorical Device Type: Victimhood, Blame-Shifting
F. Manipulation of International Perception
These techniques are designed to manipulate how Saudi Arabia is perceived globally.
Promoting Saudi Arabia as a Peacekeeper
Definition: Portraying the kingdom as a stabilizing force in the Middle East, often framing its military interventions as efforts to restore peace.
Effect: Attempts to paint Saudi actions as necessary for maintaining regional stability, while downplaying the negative impact of its interventions.
Why It's Toxic: It distracts from the harm caused by Saudi military operations and legitimizes further interventionist policies.
Rhetorical Device Type: False Framing, Propaganda
Obfuscating Human Rights Violations through Economic Ties
Definition: Using Saudi Arabia’s strategic importance in global trade and oil to deflect criticism of its human rights record.
Effect: Shifts the focus from human rights abuses by emphasizing economic or geopolitical importance.
Why It's Toxic: It prioritizes economic and strategic interests over human rights, allowing the government to continue its oppressive practices with little international pressure.
Rhetorical Device Type: Economic Leverage, Distraction
Leveraging Religious Diplomacy
Definition: Using Saudi Arabia’s role as the custodian of Islam’s holy sites to garner support and legitimize actions in the Muslim world.
Effect: Creates an image of Saudi Arabia as the protector of Islam, using religious diplomacy to strengthen its position in the region.
Why It's Toxic: It manipulates religious symbolism for political gain, often masking repressive policies behind a religious veneer.
Rhetorical Device Type: Religious Legitimacy, Diplomacy
Highlighting Humanitarian Contributions While Concealing Aggression
Definition: Promoting Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian efforts, such as aid to countries affected by natural disasters, to distract from its aggressive foreign policies (e.g., in Yemen).
Effect: Allows the government to bolster its image abroad while continuing to engage in violent or controversial actions.
Why It's Toxic: It uses humanitarian aid as a cover for harmful actions, blurring the line between true charitable intentions and political manipulation.
Rhetorical Device Type: Humanitarian Shield, Deceptive Framing
G. Authoritarian Control Tactics
These techniques aim to consolidate power and control over the population.
Using Mass Surveillance to Control Dissent
Definition: Employing mass surveillance tactics, such as monitoring internet activity and communications, to suppress any signs of dissent.
Effect: Creates a climate of fear and reduces the ability for free expression, making it difficult for opposition to organize.
Why It's Toxic: It violates privacy rights and silences critics through fear, preventing any meaningful political opposition.
Rhetorical Device Type: Coercion, Fear Mongering
Fostering a Cult of Personality Around the Royal Family
Definition: Building and maintaining a powerful, almost mythical image of the ruling family through media campaigns and public appearances.
Effect: Enhances loyalty to the monarchy and suppresses criticism by elevating the royal family to an untouchable status.
Why It's Toxic: It consolidates power in the hands of a few and prevents the development of a democratic political system by fostering dependence on a single leader.
Rhetorical Device Type: Charismatic Authority, Personality Cult
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The term “MICIMATT” was coined by Ray McGovern, a former CIA analyst who prepared the Presidential Daily Brief, before retiring and becoming a Peace Activist. (website)
