The Islamic State: constructing identity and articulating propagandistic discourse through intertextuality and recontextualisation

Abstract

This paper examines the discourse of the Islamic State (IS) as a terrorist group claiming Islamic authenticity and the right to establish khilafa. The analysis of multimodal texts produced and posted online by this group shows how their discourse uses intertextuality and recontextualisation to authenticate their political practice in religious terms, and how they employ strategies of horizontal and vertical propaganda to maintain control and hegemony, and instil fear and terror in the lives of civilians and belligerents alike. The analysis shows that in order to survive, their discourse shifts positions in response to needs, desires and antagonistic social realities. The discussion of these shifting positions reveals the political foundation of their alleged religious discourse and shows how this will change in the course of history.