The Poverty of Truth-Seeking Postmodernism, Discourse Analysis and Critical Feminism

In this article I examine one of the thorniest aspects of the relationship between feminism and postmodernism, in order to see what a discursive analytic approach can contribute to this important debate. The problem I refer to concerns the threat that the postmodern turn—despite its benefits—is said to pose for a politically committed feminism. I begin with a brief recapping of the postmodernist challenge to the tenets of social science. I then advance a two-part argument promoting discourse analysis for feminist scholars who seek to benefit from postmodernism’s respect for difference and inclusivity, yet refuse to give up a critical perspective. The first part of the argument deals with the charge that the postmodern turn disables critical inquiry; the second with the related debate over the need for ‘generalizing’ or ‘totalizing’ concepts (e.g. the concept ‘women’) in the service of a feminist politics. I argue that postmodernist scholars’ widespread tendency to discuss language outside its context of use has hobbled their ability to respond to this serious challenge, and I suggest that a closer look at routine talk can help feminists reframe these debates about politicality in helpful ways.