Animalization as a Political Strategy. The Case of Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves Robles

Paula Sequeira Rovira
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3281-0572
Universidad Nacional Costa Rica
paula.sequeira.rovira@una.cr

Abstract:

This article examines some references of animalization as a political strategy to discredit, sexualize and even praise certain features that are often linked to a strong powerful manhood image. Specifically, these associations linked to historical references and particularly to the figure of the current president of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves Robles, are analyzed. To do this, we studied various documents using critical discourse analysis (CDA) tools. Historical evidence shows how the figure of animals and nature has been used as an instrument to subordinate other people. In the case of Chaves Robles, his use of zoomorphic vocabulary is linked to the sexualization of women, to produce a derogatory qualification of political adversaries, to present itself as a symbol of power and to seek to move away from any kind of ambiguity of an absolutely symbiotic relationship between animals and humans. 

Keywords: politics, animals, women, discrimination, sexism, speciesism.