An introduction to the special issue on ‘Discourse Theory: Ways forward for theory development and research practice’

Abstract

This article introduces the special issue of the Journal of Language and Politics on ‘Discourse Theory: Ways forward for theory development and research practice.’ In this introduction we discuss the rationale behind the special issue and the structure of the special issue.

“Je suis … Charlie, Samuel, Muhammed”: Practicing Muhammed Cartoons in Far Right and Islamist Politics

“…Whereas a preoccupation with the "people" versus the "elite" in the ideational approach implies an ideological basis to its opposition, the discursive approach does not emphasize an ideological foundation. Instead, it argues for a formal approach that considers populism as a logic of articulating equivalent and different demands and affects (de Cleen et al 2020). Rather than focusing on the normative elements, a discursive approach can explain the resilient and flexible potential of populist articulation to bring together existing and emerging demands.…”

“…Most notably, the discursive approach is a contribution to the ontological foundations of populist politics, and as some argue, politics par excellence (Marchart 2018). The discursive approach adheres to the ontological premises that posit the social is “contingent, open-ended, and […] political” (de Cleen et al 2020, 4). As such, the discursive approach is preoccupied with populism considering it operates as a hegemonic formation to construct a popular—collective—will.…”