Me, Us and Them – Identity Politics in Swedish Press : An argumentation analysis of the identity politics debate in Swedish Press 2014

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis is to apply an argumentation analysis to editorials and culture articles from the four largest newspapers in Sweden, all in which the concept of identity politics is debated. The reason for this is due to a more frequent debate wherein new actors have found new platforms to debate. In the articles the concept was discussed in the context of political ideologies, marginalised groups and structures of oppression. Theories of intersectionality, power and ideology is applied to find answers regarding whose discourse is presented in the identity politics debate, how it is presented, what concepts are being used, and what underlying meaning they might have. Using identity politics becomes a method for many groups (including trans-activists, racialised Left wing, and racists) to set new agendas, raising their voices, or silencing opponents. Symbolic actors seem to believe that they are given the power to construct a discourse that is considered to be the “unbiased” true reality.