코로나 시대, 전쟁 은유의 수사학

Abstract

This study analyzes the rhetoric of governments and the media through the concept of war metaphor in the context of COVID-19 pandemic, and examines its impact on democracy. War metaphors used as political rhetoric on COVID-19 are characterized by responses toward infected subjects based on the dichotomous division of good and evil or activation of wartime response system against an enemy. War rhetoric can take place as a strategy whereby a state intervenes and persuades extensively in the political and economic sectors. In the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, the war rhetoric by political leaders even showed aspects that go against democracy. In Hungary, the prime minister attempted his long-term seizure of power, while in Sri Lanka, government opponents were subjected to control. It came to a point where the basic procedures of democracy could not be implemented as elections were postponed or canceled in several countries. War metaphors eventually affects an individual’s daily life as well. The public perception of a crisis situation as a wartime situation entails the risk of easily accepting or taking for granted exceptional measures and restrictions on their freedom. This study points out that this approach eventually produces conflicts between marginalized groups and classes and also reinforces exclusive nationalism.