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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Incivility in the Language of the Powerful: Derisive and Debasing Discourse in Polish Politics

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The objective of this chapter is to offer an exemplification of debasing, derisive comments made by politicians, mostly representing the ruling coalition parties in Poland (2015–2022). The examples are sourced from three genres—parliamentary speeches, press materials, social media posts. We trace how abusive attacks, vulgarities function as rhetorical devices deployed by the powerful to garner political capital or reinforce their hegemony. In the chapter we also discuss the normative shifts in the rules of deliberation that are being gradually skewed by the powerful in the public (parliamentary) sphere as well as in social media. We reflect on the possible implications of debasement for the condition of the public sphere, social relations in a relatively young democracy such as Poland’s.