Intro
Acknowledgments
Contents
1 Introduction: Why Polemics?
References
Part I Theoretical Considerations
2 Managing Disagreement in Democracies: Towards a Rhetoric of Dissensus
2.1 The Quest for Consensus and the Obsession of Agreement
2.2 Contemporary Condemnations of Dissensus and Polemics
2.3 The Reevaluation of Dissensus in the Social Sciences
2.4 Rhetorical Argumentation and the Question of Dissensus
2.5 Towards a Rhetoric of Dissensus
References
3 Public Controversy and Polemics: Some Attempts at Definitions

3.1 A Debate About a Question of Public Interest
3.2 Public Controversy as an Argumentative Modality
3.2.1 Tax Exile: The Public Controversy About Depardieu, Following Arnault and Clavier
3.3 A Mode of Conflict Management: Dichotomization
3.4 Polarization, or Social Division
3.5 The Relationship to the Other. The Disqualification of the Adversary
3.6 A Fierce Debate
3.7 Conclusion
References
Part II How Do Polemics and Public Controversy Work? Looking at Debates on Women in the Public Sphere
4 Wearing the Burqa in France Polemical Discourse and Polemical Exchanges

4.1 The Burqa Affair in France
4.2 Enunciation and Journalistic Responsibility
4.3 Public Controversy as a Media Event
4.4 Polarization in Journalistic Writing
4.5 The Journalist as Polemicist
4.6 The Televised Debate
4.7 Dialogue and Polylogue in Discussion Forums
4.8 Public Controversy as Polylogue
4.9 Conclusion
References
5 Controversies and Polemics in Public Space "The Exclusion of Women" in Israel
5.1 The Public Controversy on the "Exclusion of Women"
5.2 The Formula as the Focus of Public Controversy
5.3 Public Controversy in a Divided Press

5.4 The Public Controversy Against the Ultraorthodox: Rallying in the Fight
5.5 Public Controversy as Political Positioning
5.6 Public Controversy in Ultra-Orthodox Media
5.7 The Dangers of Polarization
5.8 Conclusion
References
Part III Reason, Passion, and Violence
6 Rationality and/or Passion Thomas Friedman and the Mexican Wall
6.1 The Controversy About Thomas Friedman's Op-Ed on the Mexican Wall
6.2 Condemning Emotional Responses in the Name of Reason
6.3 The Role of Practical Reasoning in Public Controversy

6.4 The Place and Role of Emotions in Polemical Debate
References
7 Verbal Violence: Its Functions and Limits
7.1 "Flames" in Online Conversations. Is Violence Intrinsic to Public Controversy?
7.2 What is Verbal Violence?
7.3 The Verbal Violence of Discussions on the Net: Flames
7.4 Violence and Argumentation
7.5 Public Controversy as a Personal Quarrel
7.6 Violence Directed Against a Third Party: Creating a Virtual Community of Protest
7.7 Incitement to Violence: Polemical Violence and Coercive Rhetoric
7.8 Functional Violence. Regulation and Limits