Abstract
The present chapter deals with forms and aspects of polemics in the realm of political communication. In addition, the relationship of polemics to irony is discussed. In the first place, a wider and a narrower notion of polemics will be introduced. Then, “polemics” is conceptualized within a functional, action-theoretical perspective. Furthermore, different aspects of polemics in the political sphere and in relation to pragmatic parameters and aspects of media use are discussed. It is shown that “polemics” is not a clear-cut notion, it is rather a notion that serves as a means of argument with regard to the question: what is “allowed” or not in controversial settings? Moreover, aspects of the diversity of forms of polemics and the question of linguistic strategies and means are dealt with.
