The politics of victimage:

Author: Blain, Michael

Source: Critical Discourse Studies, Volume 2, Number 1, March 2005 , pp. 31-50(20)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

This paper articulates a genealogical approach to critical discourse analysis derived from Michel Foucault and Kenneth Burke. The possibilities of this approach are displayed through a case study of the discourses produced by the 1994 anti-gay, ‘no special rights' initiative in Idaho (USA). Proponents of the initiative represented themselves as conservative Idaho citizens fighting a culture war to preserve traditional family values against a powerful, sexually perverse subject with a militant gay agenda. The analysis traces the emergence and dynamic interplay of antagonists' rhetorical moves and counter-moves in this closely fought battle. It shows how categories like ‘conservative' can be reinterpreted and put into play in a new strategy.

Keywords: power; discourse; sexuality

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17405900500052168

Publication date: 2005-03-01