Constructing the Hashemite Self-Identity in King Abdullah II’s Discourse

Abstract

The aim of this article is to show how King Abdullah II of Jordan represents the layers of the Hashemites’ self-identity in his discourse. Within the framework of Critical Discourse Analysis, I explore the lexical and thematic choice by which King Abdullah II distinguishes himself, the Hashemite rulers, and Jordanians within the rhetoric of the exceptionality of the ‘Hashemite Jordan’ model. The article illustrates also how the discourse of the ‘dominant’ Hashemite ruling-class works on manufacturing the ‘dominated’ Jordanians’ consensus about Hashemites’ dominance and legitimacy through a set of three socio-cultural representations: the of historical legacy and religious affiliation, modernity and originality, and the of vanguard of reform.