Framing 1. Reality is complex 2. To make sense of that complexity we put facts into stories or frames 3. These frames help tell us which of many possible facts are significant and what these facts mean Ryan—Central America –Anti-communism –U.S Imperialism/solidarity –Quagmire

Functions of Frames Frames help answer the following: What is the conflict about? Who are “we”? Who are “they?” Who might our allies be?

Making Sense of a Changing World: Understanding and Action in the Christian Right’s Approach to Global Affairs

Anti-Communism Basic Conflict: American freedom vs. communist tyranny We: U.S./the free world They: Communist nations and their surrogates around the world Alliances: Republican right, third world anticommunist movements and governments (Central America, Southern Africa, Afghanistan, Taiwan)

Resisting the New World Order A growing shadow looms over American nationalism–a creeping movement toward global citizenship. Instead of a world made of independent nations, globalism requires an international system to govern and unite “nation-states.” Concerned Women for America, Family Voice (July 98)

Resisting the New World Order Basic Conflict—American nationalists vs. sinister globalists We: Patriotic Americans They: United Nations, WTO, NAFTA, Internationalists Alliances: Anti-immigrant groups, left anti Globalists, the “Frankenstein alliance”

Human Rights/Religious Persecution Basic Conflict: Oppressive States Versus their citizens We: Victims of persecution/sexual trafficking and those in solidarity with them They: Oppressive Governments especially: China, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iran Alliances: Human Rights groups, Jewish groups, Catholic Church, Tibetan movement, African Americans (Sudan), Feminists (Sexual Trafficking)

Global Moral Conservatism or Jihads versus McWorld We assemble in this World Congress, from many national, ethnic, cultural, social and religious communities, to affirm that the natural human family is established by the Creator and essential to good society. We address ourselves to all people of good will who, with the majority of the world's people, value the natural family. Ideologies of statism, individualism and sexual revolution, today challenge the family's very legitimacy as an institution…. To defend the family and to guide public policy and cultural norms, this Declaration asserts principles that respect and uphold the vital roles that the family plays in society. Statement of Purpose: World Congress of Families Statement of Purpose: World Congress of Families

Global Social Conservatism or Jihads Vs. McWorld Basic Conflict: Defending the traditional family against social engineering by moral relativists. We: Defenders of the Traditional Family They: Feminists, Gays, Western Secular Elites, the UN Alliances: Islamic groups, the Vatican, Conservative Catholics, the Global South

Clash of Religions This enemy is not a physical enemy. The enemy is none of the people [Bin Laden, Saddam Hussein, Taliban leaders] I have shown you here. The enemy is a spiritual enemy. It’s called the principality of darkness….Satan wants to destroy this nation. He wants to destroy us as a nation and he wants to destroy us as a Christian Army. Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin Gen. William “Jerry” Boykin Islam is “a wicked and evil religion.” Franklin Graham Muslims are “worse than Nazis.” Pat Robertson Muhammed was “a terrorist” (J. Falwell), “a demon obsessed pedophile” (Jerry Vines, past SBC President).

A Clash of Religions Basic Conflict: Christian Truth versus Inherently Violent Islam We: Christians They: Islam/Satan/Terrorists Alliances: Advocates of forceful military action against perceived terrorists and terrorist supporters in Islamic nations Christians (especially Evangelicals/Pentecostalists)

More Functions of Frames Mobilization A Christian Nation A Christian Nation Master Frame Civil Rights Frame Civil Rights Frame Internal versus external audiences

Framing and the Media What will get on the news? Greenpeace—Dramatic footage, Danger emphasized, Greenpeace—Dramatic footage, Danger emphasized, Doing the Media’s job for them Doing the Media’s job for them Whale versus Giant Squid Whale versus Giant Squid How can we get the news to convey our frame? – David Versus Goliath, bravery – Mind Bombs What problems do challengers face in getting their frame taken seriously?

Framing Iran: Cheney vs. MoveOn.org What frame will you promote? What frame will you promote? What images do you want to illustrate that frame? Is it newsworthy? Will mainstream media take this frame seriously?