The Role of Rhetorical Theory in Military Intelligence Analysis: A Soldier's Guide to Rhetorical Theory
Abstract
As an unconventional analytical source, Michel Foucault contributes new power perspectives to intelligence analysis; and he gives a nontraditional look at a growing, evolving threat environment. As highlighted in The Foucault Reader, Foucault's analytical edge confronts these threats "by refusing to separate off knowledge from power." "His strategy has been to focus his work, both political and intellectual, on what he sees as the greatest threat that strange, somewhat unlikely, mixing of the social science and social practices developed around subjectivity." Foucault's theories address the human behind the satellite images and database numbers: the result generates a powerful perspective on threat countries, systems, and situations. His power influences resonate in every human system and organization. Specifically, he addresses the flow of power through organizational hierarchies. Through Foucault's rhetorical vision, one can look at an organization as a power being with a rhetorical circulatory structure supporting its existence. Power (discourse and knowledge) flows through the entire organization. Now, as a power-influenced (human-conceptualized) entity, organizations have spatial, temporal, and social compartmentalizations. These compartmentalizations require a physical means (conduits) of sharing information in order to allow power to flow. Additionally, Foucault addresses in the 1982 book titled The Archaeology of Knowledge and the Discourse on Language how the power shifts, ruptures, and discontinuities in the conduits can take on many forms when overlaid against the wide range of global norms. Most importantly, based on theory's powerful utility, the seeds of analysis must be planted as early as possible. Rhetorical theory is the key to enhanced analytical growth an outgrowth that serves as a powerful military-intelligence force multiplier.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA425016
Entities
People
- Gary H. Mills
Organizations
- Air University Press