Descent into Discourse: The Reification of Language and the Writing of Social History

Palmer, Bryan D.

ISBN 10: 0877226784 / ISBN 13: 9780877226789

Editore: Temple University Press, U.S, Philadelphia, 1990

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Hardcover in good condition with unclipped dust jacket in acceptable condition. Jacket is scuffed and sunned, particularly the spine. Edges are creased and nicked, with a neatly-taped tear at the spine head, front side. Board corners and spine ends are bumped and rubbed. Spine is slightly cocked and page block is lightly blemished. Binding is sound and pages are clear. LW.

Codice articolo 612825

Dati bibliografici

• Titolo: Descent into Discourse: The Reification of Language and the Writing of Social History
• Editore: Temple University Press, U.S, Philadelphia
• Data di pubblicazione: 1990
• Lingua: Inglese
• ISBN 10: 0877226784
• ISBN 13: 9780877226789
• Rilegatura: Hardcover
• Condizione: Good
• Condizione della sovraccoperta: Acceptable
• Tipo di libro: Used
• Cataloghi dei venditori:
  • History - General

Descrizione articolo

Riassunto

Critical theory is no substitute for historical materialism; language is not life. With this statement, Bryan Palmer enters the debate that is now transforming and disrupting a number of academic disciplines, including political science, womenOCOs studies, and history. Focusing on the ways in which literary or critical theory is being promoted within the field of social history, he argues forcefully that the current reliance on poststructuralismOCowith its reification of discourse and avoidance of the structures of oppression and struggles of resistanceOCoobscures the origins, meanings, and consequences of historical events and processes. Palmer is concerned with the emergence of language as a central focus of intellectual work in the twentieth century. He locates the implosion of theory that moved structuralism in the direction of poststructuralism and deconstruction in what he calls the descent into discourse. Few historians who champion poststructuralist thought, according to Palmer, appreciate historical materialismOCOs capacity to address discourse meaningfully. Nor do many of the advocates of language within the field of social history have an adequate grounding in the theoretical making of the project they champion so ardently. Palmer roots his polemical challenge in an effort to introduce historians more fully to the theoretical writing that many are alluding to and drawing from rather cavalierly.Acknowledging that critical theory can contribute to an understanding of some aspects of the past, Palmer nevertheless argues for the centrality of materialism to the project of history. In specific discussions of how critical theory is constructing histories of politics, class, and gender, he traces the development of the descent into discourse within social history, mapping the limitations of recent revisionist texts. Much of this writing, he contends, is undertheorized and represents a problematic retreat from prior histories that attempted to address such material forces as economic structures, political power, and class struggle."Descent into Discourse"acounters current intellectual fashion with an eloquent argument for the necessity to analyze and appreciate lived experience and the structures of subordination and power in any quest for historical meaning. a"

Product Description

Book by Palmer Bryan D