A1 Journal article (refereed)
Conceptual Explorations around “Politics” : Thematizing the Activity of Politics in the Plenary Debates of the German Bundestag (2021)

Palonen, K. (2021). Conceptual Explorations around “Politics” : Thematizing the Activity of Politics in the Plenary Debates of the German Bundestag. Contributions to the History of Concepts, 16(1), 16-39. https://doi.org/10.3167/choc.2021.160102

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Palonen, Kari

Journal or series: Contributions to the History of Concepts

ISSN: 1807-9326

eISSN: 1874-656X

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 01/06/2021

Volume: 16

Issue number: 1

Pages range: 16-39

Publisher: Berghahn Books

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3167/choc.2021.160102

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Abstract

This article discusses the ways of conceptualizing politics in parliamentary debates. When the politicsvocabulary is ubiquitous in them, which kind of speech act lies in emphasizing the political aspect? Focusing on thematized uses allows us to identify conceptual revisions in the politicsvocabulary in digitalized plenary debates of the German Bundestag from 1949 to 2017. My fourfold scheme for conceptualizing politics (polity, policy, politicization, politicking) provides the analytical apparatus. The units of analysis in this study are compound words around politics written as single words, a German language specialty. Their frequency has remarkably risen in the Bundestag debates, and the search engine can easily find them. This research interest allows me to speculate with changes in the understanding and appreciation of politics in postwar (West)Germany.

Keywords: conceptual history; lexicology; German language; neologisms; compound words; politics; politicisation; parliaments

Free keywords: Bundestag; compound words; digitalization; parliamentary debates; policy; politicization; politicking; politics; polity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 2