To what extent are the concepts of ideology and discourse significant in explaining the bond between space, culture and power? Which of these two is the more relevant? Are they not linked together?

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                                                GG 225 ‘Cultural geography’

INTRODUCTION

To what extent are the concepts of ideology and discourse significant in explaining the bond between space, culture and power? Which of these two is the more relevant? Are they not linked together?

Culture, space and power… Power of culture or power for culture? In a geographic context, we must think of an eventual space of culture. Is there an exercise of power for space? Culture is part of everyday life, but is power the leading force in the shaping of culture? Is culture shaped or does it shape people and spaces?

First, we will study the leading role of discourse in a cultural process linked with space. Then we will focus on the link between discourse and ideology as tools to assert power on a certain space. We will eventually show that discourse and ideology are not completely relevant in a changing world.

  1. Discourse as a socio-spatial process in culture formation

  1. Discourse and meaning

To begin with, it is necessary to understand that culture is a process: what are the driving forces in its production? The notion of discourse is strongly linked with this cultural process. Crang’s definition of discourse is very significant in understanding culture as a system of meaning and values: indeed, he presents discourse as a set of figures of speeches but also as non verbal processes as practices (Art, writing, reading…), representations (desires) and performances (parades). These various actions make sense of the world by creating signs. That is why Peter Jackson states that ‘representations and images are constitutive of the world’. Last but not least, the result of this ‘signification’ process through discourse is culture. So discourse is useful for an understanding of the cultural shaping process.

Moreover, the idea of discourse may be closed to that of ideology if we define ideology as ‘production of meanings and ideas’. Indeed, people see the world through their discourse. Peter Jackson asserts that discourse is ‘arguments about how people’s geographical perceptions influence their actions’. It leads us to the following idea: culture is always (socially) mediated through discourse; it is not an objective product. The reality is ‘deviated’ and even scientists actually see the world through their theories1. Mitchell asserts that “landscape representation is always already ideological (…) and loaded with meaning”. Thus, the notion of discourse explains the shape of culture as an ideology, I mean as a way of seeing the world.

  1. Culture, a social process

The idea of discourse as human actions and representations lets us understand that culture is not a natural production but a social one. This system of meaning is shaped by social relationships and everyday life actions: the way we talk about the world, discussing ideas with each other may produce meaning, and as a matter of fact, culture. Peter Jackson claims that “the language is a medium for communication and exchange that reflects underlying social relations of power”. It implies that discourse is not the leading force in the culture production process. It is only an intermediary in social interactions.

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Furthermore, the concept of discourse underlines the plurality of cultures owing to different visions from one person to another. Peter Jackson explains that there are as many ways of seeing the world as there are eyes to see it. But this difference of perception sometimes ends in conflicts because of antagonistic ‘readings’. Social interactions turn into struggles for meaning (‘cultures war’), particularly in geopolitical discourse as discussed later.

  1. Discourse and spatiality of culture

Nevertheless, the relevancy of discourse in the formation of culture is questioned if we consider its material aspect and its links with space: ...

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