Leathernecks and Lexicon: Exploring Partisanship in the Marine Corps Gazette

• In Event: Emerging Scholars Lightning Round: Research Design

Abstract

This research proposal seeks to investigate the extent to which the Marine Corps, as represented by its published writings, is a nonpartisan institution. A foundational principle of the American democracy asserts that the military's primary role is to safeguard the Constitution, emphasizing its nonpartisan nature. However, understanding the nuances of military discourse is crucial, particularly in an era where political affiliations can impact institutional dynamics. Using a dataset encompassing articles from the Marine Corps Gazette and Public Papers of the President from 1918 to 2022, our research employs text and sentiment analysis techniques to explore two core hypotheses: the Marine Corps is posited as a conservative institution, and we anticipate this ideological stance to be reflected in the Marine Corps Gazette; and the sentiment expressed in Marine Corps text is expected to align with the political party of the president in office during the corresponding period. This study not only contributes to our understanding of the political orientation within military discourse but sheds light on the evolving relationship between the military establishment and the political landscape over the course of the past century. The findings hold implications for the broader discussion on the role of the military in shaping and reflecting political ideologies, specifically those aligned with the party of the incumbent President.

Authors

• Julianna Thomson, George Mason University

• Ryan Pallas