Legitimization and the discursive (re)production of social domination

Abstract

This research focuses on the discourses and strategies used by British political representatives in justifying continued ‘support’ for the Israeli occupation government in Palestine. As a member of the liberally identified ‘Western’ alliance, Britain, must justify its invested interests in the region, given Israel’s internationally criticized occupation practices. Between the months of May through July 2004 seven interviews were conducted with Members of British Parliament and the representative of a major London based pro-Israeli lobby organization concerning their rationales for the British government’s position towards the Israeli government’s occupation practices. A critical discursive analysis highlights key ideological and discursive themes forming the legitimizing rationales for the British position and involvements in the region. These rationales are seen as ideologically ‘necessary’ in negotiating the contradictory ‘gaps’ between neoliberalist identifications and practices. Given contemporary hegemonic contestations, the discussion highlights the necessity of an ideological and material analysis in studying Western discursive (re)productions of social domination.