Research article | Open Access
International Journal of Language and Education Research 2025, Vol. 7(3) 49-67
The Digital Rhetoric of a Monarch: Thematic Analysis of King Abdullah’s Tweets
pp. 49 - 67
Publish Date: December 31, 2025 | Single/Total View: 3/2 | Single/Total Download: 3/2
Abstract
Twitter (X) has become one of the most important online spaces for political communication. This study examines how King Abdullah II of Jordan strategically utilizes Twitter to engage with domestic and international audiences. Using Naeem et al.’s (2023) framework for thematic analysis, the researchers examined 188 tweets posted between 2020 and 2025. Results showed nine dominant themes, from diplomacy and national unity to humanitarian efforts and economic progress. The findings reveal a leadership discourse centred on soft power, international diplomacy, and cultural cohesion, emphasising recognition, solidarity, and national identity. The study also highlights the relative underrepresentation of security and economic topics, raising questions about alternative communication channels for these policy areas. These insights contribute to understanding the evolving role of digital political discourse in monarchies, offering a foundation for future comparative research on social media engagement by political leaders in the Middle East.
Keywords: Jordan, King Abdullah II, politics, thematic analysis, Twitter
APA 7th edition
Derki, N. (2025). The Digital Rhetoric of a Monarch: Thematic Analysis of King Abdullah’s Tweets. International Journal of Language and Education Research, 7(3), 49-67.
Harvard
Derki, N. (2025). The Digital Rhetoric of a Monarch: Thematic Analysis of King Abdullah’s Tweets. International Journal of Language and Education Research, 7(3), pp. 49-67.
Chicago 16th edition
Derki, Noureddine (2025). "The Digital Rhetoric of a Monarch: Thematic Analysis of King Abdullah’s Tweets". International Journal of Language and Education Research 7 (3):49-67.
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