Elke Schumann

Working on authenticity: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, German politician, accounts for his resignation

The production and perception of authenticity in communicative settings may be understood as a social construction depending on the existence of, for example, moral values, cultural norms or the longing for specific values or norms. In political life, ‘proving’ authenticity is highly relevant, especially when politicians have to resign. Confronted with their own mistakes or failings, they have to apologize as well as to demonstrate expertise and individual integrity. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg was one of the most popular German politicians of the past few years. Among the qualities most often attributed to him were “stylishness”, “sincerity“ and, above all, “authenticity”. In 2011, however, his doctoral thesis was revealed to be a major case of plagiarism. Zu Guttenberg therefore resigned as defence minister on 1st of March. His resignation speech will be analysed by means of conversational and positioning analysis, showing how he works at presenting himself as a professional politician and self-governed individual. He justifies his resignation by claiming that the plagiarism affair is preventing him from competently doing his work as a minister. At the same time, he dismisses allegations of fraud by stating that his doctoral thesis is simply ”a flawed piece of work”. While he puts his actions in a general frame of moral values like “responsibility”, “decency”, and “sincerity”, he also emphasizes that there is an individual ‘behind’ the politician. Zu Guttenberg’s strategies may be seen as a demonstration of authenticity in an effort to assert his integrity.