A Critical Discourse Analysis of Ideology and Power Relations in a Political Interview

Abstract

Political interviews are important political actions that are conducted to explain the political trends, actions, views and stances. They are usually embedded with covert and overt political ideologies that aim to affect others' political positions, stances and shape public opinions. The researcher tries to detect the ideologies and power relations manifested during a prewar on Iraq interview conducted on BBC with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The researcher uses Wodak's (2015) critical discourse approach as a framework for the analysis with the aim of raising the awareness of the readers of the ideologies and power relations in such interviews. The results show the existence of a dynamic, powerful interaction as both sides use whatever power resources they have to dominate the interaction, exercising power and perpetuating their political ideologies.