Fear as a Political Tool: A Critical Analysis of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Fearmongering Narratives

Gabriela Kwiatek

doi:10.18778/1641-4233.30.04

Authors

Gabriela Kwiatek Jagiellonian University, Faculty of International and Political Studies https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7530-1789

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1641-4233.30.04

Keywords:

Marjorie Taylor Greene, fearmongering, electoral strategies, fear, right-wing populism, campaign, USA, politics

Abstract

This paper examines the fearmongering narratives employed by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia in her political strategy. By analyzing sources, such as campaign materials, legislative proposals, and press releases through a content analysis method, the paper identifies three primary fear-based narratives this politician uses: threats to the country, threats to freedom, and threats to children. Moreover, the impact of fearmongering in Rep. Greene’s electoral strategy and its success in Georgia’s 14th congressional district, known for its conservative leanings, are also explored. By understanding the effectiveness of fearmongering, this research sheds light on the dynamics of contemporary political discourse in the United States and its potential consequences.

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Author Biography

Gabriela Kwiatek, Jagiellonian University, Faculty of International and Political Studies

Gabriela Kwiatek is a North American Studies Master’s student at Jagiellonian University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree after defending a thesis on the topic of “The Forced Sterilization of Indigenous Women in 21st Century Canada in the Context of Eugenics”. She is a member of the Polish Association of Canadian Studies and the North American Studies Academic Society at Jagiellonian University. She recently completed an internship at the Canadian Embassy in Warsaw. She spoke at several national and international conferences, discussing topics related to Canadian foreign policy, diplomacy, and internal Indigenous affairs. She is currently working on her research project on “Turtle Island’s First Nations and Aotearoa’s Māori – collaboration in the field of decolonization of birthing practices”, partially funded by Inicjatywa Doskonałości UJ.

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