Follow-ups in pre-structured communication
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Liudmila Mikalayeva
Abstract
This contribution outlines two theoretical frameworks – behaviorist and reflexive – for considering the discursive interaction between states and international organizations within treaty monitoring (a process of assessing states’ compliance with international treaties). Monitoring is seen as a communicative process, aimed at building and sustaining the interlocutors’ public images and constituted by a series of multi-directed follow-ups. This definition emphasizes the importance of anticipation and silence in pre-structured diplomatic communication. The two suggested frameworks lie across the ontological divide. The behaviorist framework relies on an actor/speaker-oriented view of social interaction, conceives of actors as rational, strategizing beings performing cost-benefit calculations to define their discursive choices, and conceptualizes the participants’ concern with their public image in terms of ‘face wants’. The reflexive framework looks at how states and international organizations (IOs) use the monitoring exchange to (re)construct their relationship while projecting a specific image into the public sphere. Continuity of the interaction, intensity and regularity of the exchange within treaty monitoring provide IOs with sources of power and thus allow rebalancing the initially asymmetrical set-up. The frameworks are illustrated using the example of the monitoring mechanism of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Abstract
This contribution outlines two theoretical frameworks – behaviorist and reflexive – for considering the discursive interaction between states and international organizations within treaty monitoring (a process of assessing states’ compliance with international treaties). Monitoring is seen as a communicative process, aimed at building and sustaining the interlocutors’ public images and constituted by a series of multi-directed follow-ups. This definition emphasizes the importance of anticipation and silence in pre-structured diplomatic communication. The two suggested frameworks lie across the ontological divide. The behaviorist framework relies on an actor/speaker-oriented view of social interaction, conceives of actors as rational, strategizing beings performing cost-benefit calculations to define their discursive choices, and conceptualizes the participants’ concern with their public image in terms of ‘face wants’. The reflexive framework looks at how states and international organizations (IOs) use the monitoring exchange to (re)construct their relationship while projecting a specific image into the public sphere. Continuity of the interaction, intensity and regularity of the exchange within treaty monitoring provide IOs with sources of power and thus allow rebalancing the initially asymmetrical set-up. The frameworks are illustrated using the example of the monitoring mechanism of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Following up across contexts and discourse domains: Introduction ix
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Follow-ups in the new media
- Follow-ups in broadcast political discourse 3
- Intertextual references in Austrian parliamentary debates 25
- “I have nothing to do but agree” 57
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Follow-ups across speech events
- Bravo for this editorial! 83
- Metacommunicative follow-ups in British, German and Russian political webchats 109
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Follow-ups across speech events
- Framing the Queen’s head scarf 139
- Follow-ups in political talk shows and their visual framing 169
- Follow-ups in interpreter-mediated interviews and press conferences 205
- Follow-ups in pre-structured communication 231
- Index 263
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Following up across contexts and discourse domains: Introduction ix
-
Follow-ups in the new media
- Follow-ups in broadcast political discourse 3
- Intertextual references in Austrian parliamentary debates 25
- “I have nothing to do but agree” 57
-
Follow-ups across speech events
- Bravo for this editorial! 83
- Metacommunicative follow-ups in British, German and Russian political webchats 109
-
Follow-ups across speech events
- Framing the Queen’s head scarf 139
- Follow-ups in political talk shows and their visual framing 169
- Follow-ups in interpreter-mediated interviews and press conferences 205
- Follow-ups in pre-structured communication 231
- Index 263
