heresthetics

n. the framing of a debate or issue so that one is on the superior or winning side, or so that one’s choices are better-received by others. Also heresthetic. Subjects: English, Politics

Etymological Note: The term was coined by William Riker (1920–1993).

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Citations: 1984 William H. Riker American Political Science Review (Mar.) “The Heresthetics of Constitution-Making: The Presidency in 1787, with Comments on Determinism and Rational Choice” vol. 78, no. 1, p. 8: In this connection the distinction between rhetoric and heresthetic is that rhetoric involves converting others by persuasive argument, whereas heresthetic involves structuring the situation so that others accept it willingly. 1990 Bernard M. Bass Bass and Stogdill’s Handbook of Leadership (July 1) 3rd ed., p. 137: Heresthetics. For Riker (1986), leadership, as practiced by successful politicians, is primarily political manipulation. According to this view, leadership is evident when a politician is able to change an issue in the minds of constituents and legislators, so the minority support for older framing of the issue swells to a majority because of the politician’s new interpretation of the issue. 1992 John M. Bryson, Barbara C. Crosby Leadership for the Common Good (Nov. 4) p. 259: Even if problems, solutions, and politics are coupled, it is still possible to lose during formal adoption sessions to shrewd opponents who find ways to split the coalition or to use the formal decision-making rules of the relevant arena to defeat what otherwise would be a “sure” winner. This is where a knowledge of “heresthetics”—the name Riker (1996) gives to “the art of political manipulation”—is essential. 1996 [mkaye@nmsu.edu] Usenet: talk.politics.guns (Oct. 29) “Re: John Johnson Calls NRA A Liar”: “Either way I win.” “Gee, what a virtuoso grasp of heresthetics!!!” 1998 Boston Globe (July 17) “Leadership Seminar Set At Dartmouth” p. 12: “Heresthetics and Rhetoric and the Spatial Model,” by William Riker, Rochester University political science professor. 2004 Andrew R. Cline Rhetorica (May 14) “Campaign maneuvers…”: John Kerry’s suggestion that he might delay acceptance of his nomination and the Republican response to that suggestions, are excellent examples of heresthetics—structuring the world so you can win.

Posted 5 Jul 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend