The polemic intensity in Cambiemos’ discourse. Antagonism and exclusion in “the time of dialogue” (Argentina, December 2015-October 2017)

Abstract

In order to explore the polemic dimension of political discourse in its most conflictive form, i.e., that of antagonism and originary exclusion, the article examines the negative other in the discourse of the governing Cambiemos coalition, adopting the perspectives which account for the counter-addressee in political enunciation (Verón, 1987; García Negroni, 2016), and incorporating the contributions from political theory that deal with the relation between enemies (Mouffe 1999; 2000) in the existential sense developed by Carl Schmitt. Specifically, the work analyses the nature of the dichotomy us/them and the intensity of the dispute revealed in the official speeches, statements to the press and public remarks made by president Macri and other referents of the coalition in their first two years in government (2015- 2017). The analysis shows that, along with dialogic and fully inclusive consensus proposals, in Cambiemos’ discourse the kirchnerist identity is established as the constitutive outside in existential hostility to the entire society, being thus questioned in its right to participate in politics. As a result, even without expressly departing from the democratic institutions, such behavior towards the adversary undermines pluralism and democracy.