Articulation as a guiding principle for analysing the interpretive functions of discourse: a heuristic for investigating the metapolitics of anti-labor union discourse

Zienkowski, Jan
(2017) DiscourseNet Congress #2: interdisciplinary discourse studies: theory and practice — Location: University of Warwick, Coventry, UK (13.September.2018)

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  • Zienkowski, Janorcid-logoUSL-B
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Abstract
This paper re-thinks the notion of articulation as a trans-disciplinary concept for discourse studies. The author proposes an interpretive and functional heuristic based on a performative notion of articulation for doing discourse analysis (Zienkowski 2017). He demonstrates the value of his heuristic with reference to an analysis of Belgian anti-labor union discourse. The analysis focuses on the question how de-legitimizing statements of labor unions and their right to strike have been articulated (with) in metapolitical fantasies that seek to re-structure established social and political relationships along neoliberal lines (Zienkowski and De Cleen 2017). Discourse can be thought of as a multi-dimensional process of articulation whereby the meanings of words, signs, identities, narratives, practices and institutions get temporarily fixed by means of performative acts. It establishes links at various levels of discursive organization (e.g. at the levels of word-choice, sentence structure, argumentation, narrative, imagery, genre, logic, rationality or governmental practice). The analysis of discourse therefore requires an investigation of the way such links are established performatively. In Essex style discourse theory articulation has traditionally been discussed as a mere connection (Laclau and Mouffe 1985). The notion has also been applied to the very process of doing social science research (Daryl Slack 1996, Howarth 2005). In this paper, the notion functions as a guiding principle for investigating the interpretive functions of discourse. The author argues that the concept of articulation can perform an integrative function in the establishment of the discourse studies as a trans-disciplinary field of inquiry. Daryl Slack, J. (1996). The theory and method of articulation in cultural studies. Stuart Hall: critical dialogues in cultural studies. London / New York, Routledge: 112-130. Howarth, D. (2005). Applying discourse theory: the method of articulation. Discourse theory in European politics: identity, policy and governance. D. Howarth and J. Torfing. New York, Palgrave / Macmillan: 316-349. Laclau, E. and C. Mouffe (1985). Hegemony and socialist strategy: towards a radical democratic politics. London, Verso. Zienkowski, J. (2017). Articulations of self and politics in activist discourse: a discourse analysis of critical subjectivities in minority debates. Houndmills, Palgrave Macmillan. Zienkowski, J. and B. De Cleen (2017) De-legitimizing labour unions: on the metapolitical fantasies that inform discourse on striking terrorists, blackmailing the government and taking hard-working citizens hostage. Tilburg Papers in Culture Studies
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Zienkowski, J. (2017). Articulation as a guiding principle for analysing the interpretive functions of discourse: a heuristic for investigating the metapolitics of anti-labor union discourse. DiscourseNet Congress #2: interdisciplinary discourse studies: theory and practice, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/171691