Comparative Legal Rhetoric

This paper theorizes a new discipline, comparative legal rhetoric, which can accomplish two important goals. First, in society broken down by intractable polarization and win/lose dichotomies, rhetoric identifies alternative, nontraditional non-Western ways to communicate persuade. How we talk is deeply connected how see the world. If take break from argument structure that defines Western communication, uncover opportunities for understanding healing. Second, study of generate cross-cultural understanding. discipline contains trove knowledge about persuasion works different cultures. Comparative might also identify universal modes persuasion, would be useful any law advocate. In Part One paper, I briefly explain why traditional often fails achieve justice equality. In Two, provide foundational introduction feeder disciplines inform rhetoric––legal law, cognitive psychology. Three explores lessons teach, studying rhetorical practices located outside mainstream U.S. culture, including Navajo Quaker restorative citizen’s rhetoric. Studying applying these communication processes help solve disputes way fosters more empathy, equity, justice.