The Discourse of Politics in Action Politics as Usual [Hardcover]

An interdisciplinary study providing first-hand evidence of the everyday lives of politicians; what politicians actually do on 'the backstage' in political organizations. The book offers answers to the widely discussed phenomena of disenchantment with politics and depoliticization.List of Figures, Tables and Photographs Preface 'Doing Politics' The (Ir)rationality of Politics 'Politics as Usual' on the 'European Stage': Constructing and performing 'European Identities One Day in the Life of a MEP Everyday Politics in Television: Fiction and/or Reality? Order or Disorder: Fiction or Reality? The Implications of 'Power and Knowledge Management' on the Organization of 'Politics as Usual' Appendix Notes References Index

'In this fascinating ethnographic study, and within an integrated interdisciplinary theoretical framework, Ruth Wodak goes beyond the usual analysis of political discourse. She examines the hectic daily 'backstage' of doing politics ( walk and talk ) by european parliamentarians as well as in the fictional world of the TV series The West Wing. A great contribution to both discourse studies and political science.' - Teun van Dijk, Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain

'What if politics was a play? With her trademark impressive methodological rigour and immense creativity, Ruth Wodak takes us on a fascinating journey where she decodes the logic of political discourse, action, and representation. The result is a brilliant, rich, and subtle book. From the backstage of the European Parliament to popular political sitcoms, she reveals a face of democratic practice that we cannot afford to ignore.' - Michael Bruter, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK

'...yet another thought provoking and elegant book by Ruth Wodak...a valuable contribution to the analysis of everyday political routines...' - Anna Horoletz, Qualitative Sociology Review

'Wodak's book will provide researchers, studló£