LANGUAGE, POWER, AND IDENTITY: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF ZOHRAN MAMDANI’S 2025 MAYOR-ELECT VICTORY SPEECH USING FAIRCLOUGH’S THREE DIMENSIONAL MODEL

Abstract

This study aims to examine the ways in which identity and political power are constructed in Zohran Mamdani’s 2025 Mayor-Elect Victory Speech through the application of Critical Discourse Analysis ( CDA ), by employing Fairclough Three Dimensional Model.This research investigates the relationship  between language, power, and ideology by analyzed the victory Speech at three levels which are textual analysis, discursive practice, and social practice.  The data consists of officially delivered speech by Zohran Mamdani and this speech serves as a primary data. This speech is analyzed first at textual level by using different linguistic features namely use of pronouns,  lexical choices, imperatives narratives, evaluative language and rhetorical devices to reveal the construction of power relations and political identity.  The results indicates that Zohran Mamdani uses different rhetoric, evaluative, inclusive, and persuasive discourse strategies and he uses such language to represent both groups as working class and marginalized population. The findings also show that the different socio-political issues particularly economic inequality,  housing issues, immigrant rights and empowerment are highlighted to show existing social hierarchies. At third level which is discursive practice, the Speech engages the audience by fostering solidarity and collective participation.  Overall, the findings illustrate that the speech promotes social change and also highlights the crucial role of Language in shaping power relations and political identities in political contexts.