Discourses, Agency and Identity in Malaysia: Critical Perspectives

This book explores discourses of identity formation and the agency of critical social practices in Malaysia, challenging the ideological narrative of 'race and 'ethnicity that dominates explanations of conflicts and cleavages. It offers an interdisciplinary approach, examining empirical studies and counter-hegemonic social movements to open up greater critical, democratic space. The book is valuable for advanced students and researchers interested in representations of identity and nationhood in Malaysia, as well as those in critical cultural studies and discourse analysis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 561 pages
Publication date: 25 October 2022
Publisher: Springer Verlag, Singapore

This book seeks to break new ground, both empirically and conceptually, in examining discourses of identity formation and the agency of critical social practices in Malaysia. Taking an inclusive cultural studies perspective, it questions the ideological narrative of ‘race and ‘ethnicity that dominates explanations of conflicts and cleavages in the Malaysian context. The contributions are organised in three broad themes. ‘Identities in Contestation: Borders, Complexities and Hybridities takes a range of empirical studies—literary translation, religion, gender, ethnicity, indigeneity and sexual orientation—to break down preconceived notions of fixed identities. This then opens up an examination of ‘Identities and Movements: Agency and Alternative Discourses, in which contributors deal with counter-hegemonic social movements—of anti-racism, young people, environmentalism and independent publishing—that explicitly seek to open up greater critical, democratic space within the Malaysian polity. The third section, ‘Identities and Narratives: Culture and the Media, then provides a close textual reading of some exemplars of new cultural and media practices found in oral testimonies, popular music, film, radio programming and storytelling who have consciously created bodies of work that question the dominant national narrative. This book is a valuable interdisciplinary work for advanced students and researchers interested in representations of identity and nationhood in Malaysia, and for those with wider interests in the fields of critical cultural studies and discourse analysis.

The book is a valuable interdisciplinary work for advanced students and researchers interested in representations of identity and nationhood in Malaysia, and for those with wider interests in the fields of critical cultural studies and discourse analysis. It offers a fresh and startling perspective on the complex and multifaceted nature of identity formation and the agency of critical social practices in Malaysia, challenging the dominant ideological narratives that have shaped the country's history and culture.

The first theme, ‘Identities in Contestation: Borders, Complexities and Hybridities,’ explores the ways in which identities are contested and negotiated in the Malaysian context. Through a range of empirical studies, including literary translation, religion, gender, ethnicity, indigeneity and sexual orientation, the book challenges the notion of fixed identities and highlights the fluidity and multiplicity of identities in Malaysia. It explores the ways in which borders, complexities and hybridities shape and influence identities, and how individuals and communities navigate these challenges in their daily lives.

The second theme, ‘Identities and Movements: Agency and Alternative Discourses,’ examines the agency of critical social practices in Malaysia. It explores the role of counter-hegemonic social movements, such as anti-racism, young people, environmentalism and independent publishing, in challenging the dominant national narrative and creating greater critical, democratic space within the Malaysian polity. The book highlights the ways in which these movements use alternative discourses and practices to challenge power structures and promote social change.

The third theme, ‘Identities and Narratives: Culture and the Media,’ examines the role of culture and the media in shaping identities and narratives in Malaysia. It provides a close textual reading of some exemplars of new cultural and media practices found in oral testimonies, popular music, film, radio programming and storytelling. These practices have consciously created bodies of work that question the dominant national narrative and promote alternative perspectives on Malaysian history and culture.

Overall, this book is a valuable contribution to the field of critical cultural studies and discourse analysis. It offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the complex and multifaceted nature of identity formation and the agency of critical social practices in Malaysia. It will be of interest to advanced students and researchers in the fields of cultural studies, sociology, politics and anthropology, as well as those with wider interests in the study of identity and nationhood in Southeast Asia and beyond.”

Weight: 896g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789813345706
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021