Mapping the Language of Racism: Discourse and the Legitimation of Exploitation

Margaret Wetherell

ISBN 10: 0231082614 / ISBN 13: 9780231082617

Published by Columbia University Press, 2006

About this Item

Divided into two parts, this book reviews and criticizes sociological and psychological theoretical approaches to the topic of racism and introduces the challenges to them posed by discourse analysis. It examines how white New Zealanders make sense of their own history and actions towards the Maori minority. Num Pages: 246 pages, black & white illustrations. BIC Classification: JFFJ; JFSL. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 233 x 154 x 14. Weight in Grams: 382. Discourse and the Legitimation of Exploitation. 246 pages. Divided into two parts, this book reviews and criticizes sociological and psychological theoretical approaches to the topic of racism and introduces the challenges to them posed by discourse analysis. It examines how white New Zealanders make sense of their own history and actions towards the Maori minority. Cateogry: (P) Professional & Vocational. BIC Classification: JFFJ; JFSL. Dimension: 233 x 154 x 14. Weight: 382. . 1993. New Ed. Paperback. . . . .

Seller Inventory # V9780231082617

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Mapping the Language of Racism: Discourse and the Legitimation of Exploitation
• Publisher: Columbia University Press
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0231082614
• ISBN 13: 9780231082617
• Binding: Soft cover
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

The topics of 'race' and 'racism' are often treated narrowly and unimaginatively in social scientific literature; they are usually viewed as sub-categories of 'stereotyping' or 'prejudice' or 'social class.' In this exciting new book, Margaret Wetherell and Jonathan Potter extend their work on the use of discourse analysis to tackle racism and issues of social structure, power relations and idology. Part I, Theory and Method, reviews and criticizes mainstream sociological and psychological theoretical approaches to the topic of racism and introduces the challenges to them posed by discourse analysis. Also examined are the ways in which some recent developments in literary theory, post-structuralism, semiotics and cultural studies might be applied to the social and psychological study of racist practices. Part II, Discourse in Action, examines how white New Zealanders make sense of their own history and actions towards the Maori minoriy. The authors' contention is that, in order to combat racism, we need to address the commonplace forms of explanation used by ordinary people rather than concentrate on obvious bigots and extremist groups. They conclude that many 'liberal' and 'egalitarian' arguments can be used to sustain racism and exploitation. Mapping the Language of Racism is a pioneering book which suggest genuinely new ways of thinking and acting on a topic of grave social concern.