The abnormalisation of social justice: the ‘anti-woke culture war’ discourse in the UK

Cammaerts, Bart ORCID: 0000-0002-9508-5128 (2022) The abnormalisation of social justice: the ‘anti-woke culture war’ discourse in the UK. Discourse and Society, 33 (6). 730 - 743. ISSN 0957-9265

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Abstract

In this article, the so-called ‘anti-woke’ culture war is deconstructed through the notions of metapolitics in fascist discourses – linked to the Gramscian ‘hegemonisation’ and ‘the war of position’ – as well as the Schmittian friend/enemy distinction coupled with theories of deviance and moral panics. The appropriation of the neo-fascist culture war discourse by the mainstream right in the UK is analysed discursively, combining political discourse analysis, the discourse-historical approach and discourse-conceptual analysis. The anti-woke culture war by the British conservative party as well as rightwing media will serve to analyse how social justice struggles like anti-racism, anti-sexism and pro-LGBTQ rights are being abnormalised and positioned as extreme deviant political positions. Linked to this, so-called ‘cancel culture’ is strategically deployed by dominant groups to neutralise contestations against racist, sexist and anti-LGBTQ views. Finally, freedom of speech and the right to offend is weaponised to protect racist and discriminatory language and to position these idea’s as valid opinions worthy of democratic debate.

Item Type:	Article
Official URL:	https://journals.sagepub.com/home/das
Additional Information:	© 2022 The Author
Divisions:	Media and Communications
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
Date Deposited:	06 Apr 2022 10:24
Last Modified:	17 Apr 2024 21:36
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/114596

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