Discourse theory and political analysis: Identities, Hegemonies and Social Change - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0719056640 ISBN 13: 9780719056642

Publisher: Manchester University Press, 2000

Synopsis

How can recent developments in post-structuralist, post-Marxist and psychoanalytic theory actually inform ongoing empirical research? What are the appropriate methods and strategies for conducting research in discourse theory and analysis? How can concepts such as hegemony, identity, the imaginary, dislocation and empty signifiers illuminate key aspects of contemporary society and politics? This multi-focal work brings together commissioned contributions from the Essex School of Political Discourse Theory. Drawing inspiration from the works of Ernesto Laclau, Chantal Mouffe, Slavoj Zizek, Jacques Derrida, Michael Foucault and Jacques Lacan, the contributors address particular questions using a common theoretical language. The book contains a clear introductory statement of the theoretical approach used, and concludes with an assessment of the future directions of discourse theory in the social sciences. This global volume ranges geographically from Western and Eastern Europe to Latin America and South Africa, from Hong Kong to Turkey and the USA. Each chapter has been selected to address a key theme and issue in contemporary politics and to highlight central concepts and research strategies in the post-structuralist, post-Marxist and psychoanalytical traditions of thinking. David Howarth is Lecturer in Politics at the University of Essex and is currently Director of Masters Programme in Ideology and Discourse Analysis in the Department of Government, Aletta J. Norval is Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of Essex and Director of the Doctoral Programme in Ideology and Discourse Analysis, Yannis Stavrakakis is lecturing on the Ideology and Discourse Analysis Programme in the Department of Government at the Univesity of Essex

About this title

About the Authors

David Howarth is a Reader in the History of Art at Edinburgh University

Aletta J. Norval is Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of Sussex and Director of the Doctoral Programme in Ideology and Discourse Analysis

Yannis Stavrakakis teaches on the Ideology and Discourse Analysis Programme in the Department of Government at the University of Essex

From the Back Cover

One of the few books which systematically brings post-structuralist theory to bear on substantive political analysis. Offers accessible accounts of different strands of discourse theory such as deconstruction, psychoanalysis and genealogy, which are applied to the analysis of specific cases such as Northern Ireland and contemporary East European politics. Each chapter addresses a key theme and issue in contemporary politics. Draws on inspiration from Ernesto Laclau, Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault and Jacques Lacan. Contains a clear introductory statement of the theoretical approach used and concludes with an assessment of the future directions of discourse theory in the social sciences.

Edition details

• Publisher: Manchester University Press
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0719056640
• ISBN 13: 9780719056642
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Howarth David, Norval Aletta J., Norval Aletta, Stavrakakis Yannis