From meta-theory to analysis. A case for discourse-theoretical analysis (DTA) Nico Carpentier

1. From meta-theory to analysis. A case for discourse-theoretical analysis (DTA) Nico Carpentier

2. I. Concepts of discourse theory

3. Lack of clarity in the definition of discourse ''Samples of spoken dialogue, in contrast with written text'; 'spoken and written language'; 'situational context of language usage'; 'interaction between reader, writer and text'; 'notion of genre' (for example newspaper discourse).'

4. “Instead of gradually reducing the rather fluctuating meaning of the word “discourse”, I believe I have in fact added to its meanings: treating it sometimes as the general domain of all statements, sometimes as an individualizable group of statements, and sometimes as a regulated practice that accounts for a number of statements.” (Foucault, AK, 1972: 80)

6. II. CDA & DT

7. 1. critical discourse analysis Holly trinity -Ruth Wodak -Teun Van Dijk -Norman Fairclough 5 basic principles(Wodak & Fairclough, 1997) -the social is partly linguistic-discursive -discourse is both constitutive and constituted -language to be analysed within social context -discourse functions ideologically -research is critical

9. 2. Foucauldian discourse theory Archaeology • What are the rules for the formation of a discourse? • Results in the description of the discursive orders in a specific era Genealogy • How come the rules for the formation of a discourse into being? • Aimed at the political and historical construction of objectivity and truth. • Results in an archaeology of the present

10. 3. Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory Columbia University, New York 14/11/2000

12. Discourse theory as a framework for analysis • discourse theory in the strict sense • social ontology • between materialism and idealism • between structure and agency • political identity theory (Smith, 1999: 87) • conflict theory • post-Marxist ‘the declassing of the socialist project’ • hegemony and antagonism • radical democratic politics • radical pluralism • hegemony of democracy • agonism vs antagonism

13. Discourse theory in the strict sense • resistance against essentialism •  ‘universal exists, but it is an 'empty place which can be partially filled in a variety of ways' (Laclau, 1996: 59) • strong focus on discourse • ‘a structure in which meaning is constantly negotiated and constructed’ (Laclau, 1988: 254) •  'An earthquake or the falling of a brick is an event that certainly exists, in the sense that it occurs here and now, independently of my will. But whether their specificity as objects is constructed in terms of 'natural phenomena' or 'expressions of the wrath of God' depends upon the structuring of a discursive field. What is denied is not that such objects exist externally to thought, but the rather different assertions that they could constitute themselves as objects outside any discursive condition of emergence.' (Laclau & Mouffe, 1985: 108) • fixity vs non-fixity / contingency and rigidity •  Discourses are instable but ‘a discourse incapable of generating any fixity of meaning is the discourse of the psychotic.’ (Laclau & Mouffe, 1985: 112)

14. The discourse theory of Ernesto Laclau en Chantal Mouffe: a vocabulary • Articulation: linking signifiers and transforming their identity through the articulatory practice Discourse • Nodal points: privileged signifiers that guarantee (to a certain degree) the stability of the discourse • Field of discursivity: the surplus (or residue) of elements that prevents the full saturation of meaning and tempts signifiers to float

15. The Discourse theory of Ernesto Laclau en Chantal Mouffe: a vocabulary 'The practice of articulation consists in the construction of nodal points which partially fix meaning; and the partial character of this fixation proceeds from the openness of the social, a result, in its turn, of the constant overflowing of every discourse by the infinitude of the field of discursivity.' (Laclau & Mouffe, 1985: 113)

16. The Discourse theory of Ernesto Laclau en Chantal Mouffe: a vocabulary Floating signifier: a signifier that is 'overflowed with meaning‘ – that can assume different meanings in different contexts/discourses Discourse 1 Discourse 2 Overdetermination - the impossibility to reach ‘a final closure’ – space for subjectivity - through the dislocations of structures are subjects forced to act … Subject position: the position of subjects within a discursive structure (‘lack’)

17. The Discourse theory of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe: a vocabulary 'Whenever we use the category of 'subject' in this text, we will do so in the sense of 'subject positions' within a discursive structure. Subjects cannot, therefore, be the origin of social relations-not even in the limited sense of being endowed with powers that render an experience possible- as all 'experience' depends on precise discursive conditions of possibility' (Laclau & Mouffe, 1985: 115). • unanimity with Althusser’s critique on the autonomous and completely self-transparent subject • reject Althusser’s deterministic working of economy in the last instance (as a 'new variant of essentialism')

18. The Discourse theory of Ernesto Laclau en Chantal Mouffe: a vocabulary • Antagonism as a clash between identities, where these identities threaten and constitute each other (or are interdependent) 'the presence of the Other prevents me from being totally myself' (Laclau & Mouffe, 1985: 125) • Hegemonic'practices are an exemplary form of political articulation which involves linking together different identities into a common project.’(Howarth, 1998: 279)

19. Antagonisms 1. Logic of equivalence  chains of equivalence "[T]he logic of equivalence functions by a system of differences [...] instituting a political frontier between two opposed camps [...]." (Howarth & Stavrakakis, 2000: 11) "[f]or instance, if I say that, from the point of view of the interests of the working class, liberals, conservatives, and radicals are all the same, I have transformed three elements that were different into substitutes within a chain of equivalence." 2. Logic of difference  disarticulating elements from existing chains of equivalence A ≈ B ≈ C D = -(A, B, C) (D, A) = -(B, C)

20. Ambition to become a social imaginary, which is 'a horizon: it is not one among other objects but an absolute limit which structures a field of intelligibility and is thus the condition of possibility of the emergence of any object.' (Laclau, 1990: 64)

21. III. Some problems

22. 'anything other than the prolonged death throes of Marxism in general' (Sim, 1997: 177) • '[Laclau is] a disillusioned Althusserian Marxist of the 1968 new left vintage who now declares himself a post-Marxist' (Gledhill, 1994: 183) • idealist stance? • primacy of the political over the social? • explicit theoretical development • of basic concepts remains minimal • absence of a methodology • applicable?

23. IV. From DT to DTA

24. Articulation & nodal points Hegemony and antagonist identities Discourse as ideology & representation DTA Meaning as discursive structures Discourse studies Focus on meaning Open procedure Sensitizing concepts Iterative procedure Qualitative research methodology

25. DA CDA DTA Discourse studies Qualitative research methodology

26. DTA Discourse studies Narratology Qualitative research methodology

27. Qualitative research methodology (as open textual analysis)

28. Qualitative research methodology Quantitative research methodology

29. Back to DTA

30. Gedanken ohne Inhalt sind leer. Anschauungen ohne Begriffe sind blind. Thoughts without contents are empty. Observations withoutconcepts are blind.

31. DTA Discourse theory as sensitizing concepts & Discourse theory to generate sensitizing concepts

32. Articulation & nodal points Hegemony and antagonist identities Discourse as ideology & representation DTA Meaning as discursive structures Discourse studies Focus on meaning Open procedure Sensitizing concepts Iterative procedure Qualitative research methodology

33. Sensitizing concepts

34. V. Examples

35. construction of identities and subject positions (media professionals, ordinary people, journalists, …) • identities of media organisations (alternative / community media) • construction of concepts in media (discourse on participation, quality, freedom, objectivity, death …) • …