6 Deconstructing Migrant/Worker Categories in Britain
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Tom Vickers
Abstract
This chapter discusses the ways in which state-endorsed divisions within the working class are reflected and reinforced at a discursive level through processes of ‘othering’. It argues that ideological categories position workers in multiple, shifting and often contradictory ways within ‘common sense’ hegemonic narratives that justify and reinforce capitalist exploitation. Such narratives are constantly changing and the divisions they help to structure are taking increasingly sharp and aggressive forms in the context of the imperialist crisis. This is illustrated through a detailed empirical analysis of three British television documentaries that were broadcast in early 2014, within weeks of changes to state restrictions affecting migrants from Bulgaria and Romania. Other academic literature is used to contextualise the analysis of these documentaries, suggesting they are representative of wider trends.
Abstract
This chapter discusses the ways in which state-endorsed divisions within the working class are reflected and reinforced at a discursive level through processes of ‘othering’. It argues that ideological categories position workers in multiple, shifting and often contradictory ways within ‘common sense’ hegemonic narratives that justify and reinforce capitalist exploitation. Such narratives are constantly changing and the divisions they help to structure are taking increasingly sharp and aggressive forms in the context of the imperialist crisis. This is illustrated through a detailed empirical analysis of three British television documentaries that were broadcast in early 2014, within weeks of changes to state restrictions affecting migrants from Bulgaria and Romania. Other academic literature is used to contextualise the analysis of these documentaries, suggesting they are representative of wider trends.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of Figures and Tables vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Series Preface viii
- Introduction 1
- Imperialism, Migration and Class in the 21st Century 17
- Deconstructing Migrant Crises in Europe 55
- Deconstructing Welfare Crises 95
- Mobility Power and Labour Power in the Crisis of Imperialism 133
- Deconstructing Migrant/Worker Categories in Britain 169
- Conclusion 185
- Appendix: Methodology 193
- References 199
- Index 229
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents v
- List of Figures and Tables vi
- Acknowledgements vii
- Series Preface viii
- Introduction 1
- Imperialism, Migration and Class in the 21st Century 17
- Deconstructing Migrant Crises in Europe 55
- Deconstructing Welfare Crises 95
- Mobility Power and Labour Power in the Crisis of Imperialism 133
- Deconstructing Migrant/Worker Categories in Britain 169
- Conclusion 185
- Appendix: Methodology 193
- References 199
- Index 229
