Reconsidering the concept of discourse for the field of critical geopolitics: towards discourse as language and practice
Journal
Political Geography
ISSN
0962-6298
ISSN-Digital
1873-5096
Type
journal article
Date Issued
2008-03-01
Author(s)
Mueller, Martin
Abstract
This paper seeks to advance the theoretical discussion on the concept of discourse in the field of critical geopolitics and address the growing dissatisfaction with its value as an instrument of social inquiry. It does so in a two-fold manner: first, it aims to contribute to conceptual clarity, particularly concerning the different applications of the concept of discourse in agency theory and poststructuralist critique, and second, by extending this initial groundwork, it urges a reconceptualization of the concept of discourse, which affords a broader view of the social. Drawing primarily on Michel Foucault's methodological archaeology, I problematize the way the autonomy of the subject has been conceptualized in discourse and argue in favor of dissolving the self-identical subject into multiple subject positions. Deriving from this argument the need for a clearer distinction between narratives and discourses, I then follow the work of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe to conceptualize discourse
not only as language, but also as language and practice. As I seek to demonstrate, this broader notion of discourse can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding and analysis of the discursive constitution
of geopolitical identities, while retaining the critical edge that has become the hallmark of critical geopolitics.
not only as language, but also as language and practice. As I seek to demonstrate, this broader notion of discourse can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding and analysis of the discursive constitution
of geopolitical identities, while retaining the critical edge that has become the hallmark of critical geopolitics.
Language
English
Keywords
Discourse
Poststructuralism
Critical geopolitics
Subject
Practice
Identity
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Publisher
Elsevier
Publisher place
Oxford
Volume
27
Number
3
Start page
322
End page
338
Pages
17
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
55848
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
open.access
Name
Müller_2008_Reconsidering the concept of discourse for the field of critical geopolitics_Political Geography.pdf
Size
313.99 KB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
343c1657901708046e806b77676a468f