Image of State: A Semiotic Model
The article is an attempt to provide fundamental semiotic definition of the notion of the image of state. General semiotic model of image is proposed and then developed into the politically saturated version, aimed at the study of representations of states. The proposed models are based on Peirce's notions of iconic sign and metaphor. Image is defined as a complex two-level sign with a first level sign ( primary sign ) playing the role of a sign vehicle and with all fragments of actuality ( facts ), similar to that primary sig n, playing the role of an object. This complex semiotic entity functions iconically, as the secondary interpretant emerges from the similarity between the primary sign and the facts that it refers to. Working this way, the image is capable of accumulation of acts of semiosis. Thus, image of a state is able to accumulate specific discourses about that state.