Hegemony Analysis: Theory, Methodology and Research Practice

Finding the roots of neo-traditionalist populism in Poland: ‘Cultural displacement’ and European integration

“…The methodological framework for the analysis has been partially based on the model developed by De Cleen and Stavrakakis (2017) and Nonhoff (2019) in addition to the own interpretation of the author of the theoretical framework presented so far. While the model provided by De Cleen and Stavrakakis shows the articulations of a populist discourse from a discursive-theoretical perspective (nodal points, constitutive outside and its orientation, chains of equivalence), Nonhoff proposes a peculiar analysis that studies a specific function of discourse, that is its hegemonic function.…”

“…While the model provided by De Cleen and Stavrakakis shows the articulations of a populist discourse from a discursive-theoretical perspective (nodal points, constitutive outside and its orientation, chains of equivalence), Nonhoff proposes a peculiar analysis that studies a specific function of discourse, that is its hegemonic function. Hegemony analysis ‘reconstructs hegemonic processes in empirical material, starting from a theoretically established ideal type of “hegemonic strategy” […] coming from discourse theory’ (Nonhoff, 2019: 66) to show how a certain discourse struggles to establish itself as hegemony. While the concept of ‘displacements’ told us more regarding the emergence of neo-traditionalism (and can be observed negatively in neo-traditionalism itself), the following analysis will discuss its hegemonic strategy.…”

“…10 However, as discussed before, contradiction is not sufficient to create antagonism; for example, taken separately, the traditionalist demand for authority presents only a relation of contrariety with the liberal demand for individual liberty . To constitute a hegemonic discourse, articulations of equivalence and contrariety of these demands need to be performed ‘because their interplay constitutes the core of an offensive-hegemonic strategy’ (Nonhoff, 2019: 89). These articulations can happen by stressing their equivalential nature given by their common enemy, the blocking other.…”

… Because the homeland cannot be in opposition: analysing the discourses of Fidesz and Law and Justice (PiS) from opposition to power

“…Essex School or post-foundational discourse analysis is grounded in this "methodological holism" (Marttila 2015) of drawing on discourse-theoretical categories as analytical tools for the study of discursive practices. In any given ensemble of articulations, the identification of differential or equivalential relations between discursive elements (or demands) and their structuration around nodal points makes it possible to trace the formation of antagonistic frontiers pitting a chain of equivalences against a constitutive outside on the other side of the frontier (see also Howarth and Stavrakakis 2000;Marttila 2015;Nonhoff 2019). The analyses that follow, which draw on a variety of sources such as party programmes, leaders' speeches, published interviews, and electoral campaign slogans and billboards, are structured both by this conceptual framework and by the overarching question of how authoritarian claims are discursively articulated.…”

Between illiberalism and hyper-neoliberalism: competing populist discourses in the Czech Republic

“…Mudde, 2004;Mudde & Rovira Kaltwasser, 2013;Stanley, 2008). This relatively formal understanding of populism not only allows for analytical distinctions between populism and the likes of nationalism or nativism in terms of how 'the people' is constructed (De Cleen & Stavrakakis, 2017;Stavrakakis, Katsambekis, Nikisianis, Kioupkiolis, & Siomos, 2017a; see also Mudde, 2007;Mudde & Rovira Kaltwasser, 2013), but can also draw on the 'methodological holism' (Marttila, 2015) of a theory of discourse, hegemony, and populism that provides the conceptual tools for situating discourses in relation to hegemonic practices and struggles over the constitution of social order (Palonen, 2009;De Cleen, Glynos, & Mondon, 2018;Nonhoff, 2019).…”