Investigating hegemony struggles: transdisciplinary considerations on the role of a critical discourse analysis of practical argumentation. Issue 3 (27th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Caterina, Daniela
• Is Part Of: Critical discourse studies. Volume 15:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 211
• Page End: 227
• Publication Date: 2018-05-27
• Subjects: Gramscian hegemony theory -- critical discourse analysis -- practical argumentation -- strategy -- cultural political economy -- historical materialist policy analysis; Critical discourse analysis -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1080/17405904.2017.1398670
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-5904

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Against the background of enduring crisis dynamics, an increasingly popular (neo-)Gramscian line of interpretation has the merit of shedding light on the ambivalences of the present political scenario as a series of ongoing struggles for hegemony. Yet how to concretely conceive, structure and operationalize empirical investigations interested in these struggles without neglecting their complex interplay of discursive and extra-discursive dynamics? I suggest that cultural political economy (CPE), historical materialist policy analysis (HMPA) and critical discourse analysis (CDA) of practical argumentation can be productively combined into a transdisciplinary research framework to investigate key strategic aspects at play in conflicts over the making and challenging of hegemony. Building on the potential for synergy between CPE and HMPA, I argue that a CDA of practical argumentation can improve their analytical strength in investigating strategies within the broader context of hegemony struggles. Both CPE and HMPA, in fact, imply a process of practical reasoning as a key element in their respective approaches to questions of strategy. This implicit concern, I suggest, should be made explicit and a CDA focusing on practical argumentation can be an ideal candidate to strengthen CPE and HMPA in this respect.