Theories and concepts in critical discourse studies: Facing challenges,moving beyond foundations

Abstract

This article emphasises the need to devote more attention to concepts and theories in critical discourse studies (CDS). We are particularly eager to emphasise that CDS theory of the second decade of 2000s – often known as the post-crisis era or as the period of ‘late neoliberalism’ – faces a number of challenges that are both real world (social) and academic in nature. On the one hand, CDS theory must be reconsidered from the point of view of socio-political challenges and the necessity to tackle new (public and private) discourses as well as their trajectories that no longer undergo the once long-standing socio-political or politico-economic dynamics. On the other hand, we see the need for embracing new ways of theorising and conceptualising discourse in late modernity in the wider landscape of the social theories and their engagement with discourse. This article emphasises the need to address some voices that come from beyond the ‘core’ CDS community with the aim to enrich CDS theory by ideas that would help us move the latter beyond its foundations as well as face socio-political and academic challenges ahead.