Discourse and Ideology
A Critique of the Study of Culture
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published:16th Dec '21
Should be back in stock very soon
This book explores the relationships between discourse and ideology, offering a framework for analyzing power dynamics in culture, particularly concerning race and gender.
In Discourse and Ideology, Craig Martin employs poststructuralist theories to explore the intricate relationships between discourse, ideology, and power dynamics within cultural studies. He argues that discourses play a crucial role in constructing social institutions that often perpetuate classism, sexism, and racism. By examining how these discourses operate, Martin reveals that they are not mere reflections of reality but active agents that shape societal norms and values, contributing to the uneven distribution of resources and capital among different social groups.
The author delves into the mechanisms through which ideologies obscure the realities of power asymmetries, providing readers with a critical lens to assess the narratives that dominate cultural discourse. He emphasizes that these ideologies often present misleading explanations for the persistence of social inequalities, thereby hindering genuine understanding and change. By utilizing his theoretical framework, scholars and students are equipped to dissect and analyze the underlying power structures that inform various aspects of culture.
In the concluding chapter, Martin applies his theoretical approach to a case study focused on racist ideologies in the United States. This analysis illustrates how these ideologies discourage empathy and solidarity among white Americans towards marginalized African American communities, ultimately reinforcing a longstanding racial hierarchy. Discourse and Ideology serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complex interplay of discourse, ideology, and social power.
This book is a gift to students and colleagues who have a passion for theory. Craig Martin has infused his work with rare wit, wisdom, emotion, unique insight, and commitment. * Naomi Goldenberg, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Ottawa, Canada *
In this incredibly impressive work, Craig Martin shows the importance of doing your homework by methodically laying out the philosophical basis for a discursive theory of society. Martin provides a clear path through numerous debates that over-simplistically pit empirical realities against social construction, leading the reader to a far more nuanced and critically viable position. This is a must-read for anyone who considers themselves a scholar of culture. * Leslie Dorrough Smith, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, Avila University, USA *
“If to study religion is to study how people name and rank their worlds, then it actually studies how power and identity are claimed and contested—and Craig Martin numbers among the best representatives of such a field; Discourse and Ideology makes clear that a critical scholar of religion has much to say about how society works, and why it so often seems to work only for some of its members.” * Russell T. McCutcheon, University Research Professor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies, University of Alabama, USA *
This book succeeds in providing a secure base and guide for scholars to apply a poststructuralist critique of culture, whether focused on religion, politics, gender, race or another category of analysis. * Suzanne Owen, Reader in Religious Studies, Leeds Trinity University, UK *
ISBN: 9781350246287
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: 448g
296 pages