Conceptualisations of cultural identity in the Cronulla riots debate: one concept, four theorists, one text

Abstract

The nature and future of multiculturalism in Australia has been a controversial topic of debate in the Australian media over the past two years. Agreement in this debate has been limited partly because of the range of theoretical conceptualisations of cultural identity assumed by the many participants. This study investigates the different conceptualisations of cultural identity within this debate by viewing one discourse from the debate through four contrasting theoretical perspectives regarding the nature of cultural identity. Foucaultian and Critical Discourse Analysis is used to discover connections between the theoretical frameworks and the voices in the discourse. Conceptual differences are discovered concerning the boundaries, essentialism, relationship to social order and the historical determinism of the concept.