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The Triumph of Silence: President George H. W. Bush's Refusal to Denounce Apartheid in South Africa
- Rhetoric & Public Affairs
- Michigan State University Press
- Volume 14, Number 1, Spring 2011
- pp. 45-68
- 10.1353/rap.2011.0001
- Article
- Additional Information
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President George H. W. Bush was widely criticized for not publicly denouncing the apartheid regime in South Africa. His silence was attributed to a lack of understanding or caring about the issues at hand. However, President Bush was firmly aware of the situation and made an intentional strategic choice not to speak. In this paper, I argue that remaining silent was the best available strategic choice. In addition to the strategic question, I examine the role that silence plays in a democratic system where people expect their leaders to speak on critical issues.