Köttet i politiken - vad är problemet?

Sammanfattning: This thesis is a discourse analysis of the Swedish political debate about management control measures for the reduction of the Swedish meat consumption. The debate exemplifies the role of language in political debates, with focus on how policy-making depend on the creation and definitions of problems. Theory and method build on social constructivist Maarten A. Hajer’s argumentative discourse analysis (ADA). The empirical material principally consists of the political debate following motions made by members of the parliament suggesting measures such as taxes and meatless weekdays in the public sector. Also, debate articles by key actors are analysed. Five discourses are distinguished in the political debate. First, control measures aiming to establish a vegetarian standard, second, control measures as an answer to an unsustainable meat consumption, third, control measures in conflict with Swedish protectionism, fourth, control measures in conflict with the individual liberty of choice and finally, the reduction of meat consumption as a public health issue.