Language, Hegemony and the European Union

"This penetrating critique unpacks the ideological and socio-political implications of the EU's 'Unity in Diversity' programme by challenging deep-seated conceptions which underlie the relationship between the EU and the nation state. Characterized by rich conceptual clarity and scholarly reasoning it tells us as much about the why as the how of liberal democracy's dealings with language-related issues in the fields of education, governance, justice and politics. Ultimately it carries a profound message for the normative interpretation of the citizen as a constructed subject within the discursive context of the state's and region's hegemony." (Colin H. Williams, Professor, Cardiff University, UK)

This book critically examines the European Union’s “Unity in Diversity” mantra with regard to language. The book will be of interest to sociolinguists, political scientists, sociologists, as well as scholars of language and globalization and European studies.This book critically examines the European Union’s “Unity in Diversity” mantra with regard to language. It uses a theoretical framework based on hegemony both as a system and as a relationship. Operating within sociolinguistics, the book replaces the notion of ideology in poststructuralist thought with that of hegemony. The authors argue that forging unity across language communities contradicts the tenets of classical liberal theory. Global neo-liberalism influences this orthodoxy, shifting the parameters of power and political control. Over nine chapters, the authors cover topics such as globalization and social change, justice, governance and education. The book will be of interest to sociolinguists, political scientists, sociologists, as well as scholars of language and globalization and European studies.