The Rhetorical Uses of Multiculturalism: an Ideographic Analysis of the European Union and Macedonian Discourses in the Dialogue for Eu Accession
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THE RHETORICAL USES OF MULTICULTURALISM: AN IDEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION AND MACEDONIAN DISCOURSES IN THE DIALOGUE FOR EU ACCESSION Linda Ziberi A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY May, 2012 Committee: Lara Lengel, Ph.D., Co-Advisor Alberto González, Ph.D., Co-Advisor Ellen Gorsevski, Ph.D. Marc Simon, Ph.D. Graduate Faculty Representative ii ABSTRACT Lara Lengel, Ph.D., Co-Advisor Alberto González, Ph.D., Co-Advisor Inter-ethnic co-existence is critical for stability and democratic development of Macedonia, a country with European Union (EU) membership aspirations. This study examines discourses between the EU and Macedonia surrounding the concept of multiculturalism, which emerged from inter-ethnic conflict between Albanians, the largest ethnic minority in the nation, and Macedonians, the majority ethnic group. From the Ohrid Framework Agreement, which provides the main format for multiculturalism discourses, the study interrogates how multiculturalism is rhetorically constructed by EU representatives in their presentations to the Macedonia public, and by Albanian and Macedonian and officials of the Macedonian Government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Ministers Office for European Affairs, and the Vice Prime Minister representing the Albanian political party in government. The study employs the ideographic analysis method of rhetorical criticism which is particularly constructive for interrogating concepts, such as multiculturalism, used by various parties engaged in negotiating conflict. As different ethnic groups in Macedonia have competing conceptualizations of multiculturalism, the study examines how the term is rhetorically constructed to the Macedonian public from outside the nation, and within by Macedonian and Albanian ethnic groups, particularly under conditions of warfare and EU and U.S. pressure. The study provides an understanding of how ideographs such as multiculturalism impact individual choices and ideological assumptions that shape patterns of cultural expression. It affords opportunities to iii identify hidden notions and possibilities in the constructions of multiculturalism while considering political, ethical, and social impacts on the people in Macedonia and their acceptance or rejection of this concept. The processes creating and sustaining ideology, and the interests represented in the ideology, must be discovered and understood in order to uncover oppressive power structures and to find opportunities enabling emancipation. The critical understanding of the rhetoric of multiculturalism and its conceptions by all stakeholders focuses upon a vital component in EU accession dialogue between Macedonia and the EU and, therefore, addresses a crucial precondition for achieving a functioning democratic society in Macedonia. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Although only my name appears on the cover of this dissertation, many people have contributed to its production. I owe my deepest gratitude to all those people who have made this dissertation possible and because of whom my graduate experience has been one that I will cherish forever. First of all, I would like to thank the two co-chairs of my dissertation committee, Dr. Lara Lengel and Dr. Alberto Gonzalez. Lara has been a wonderful mentor and friend ever since I came to Bowling Green State University in 2008. Without her constructive feedback and continuous encouragement, I would not have been able to complete my PhD studies. Her patience and support helped me overcome many crisis situations and finish this dissertation. She was always there to meet and talk about my ideas, to proofread and mark up my papers and chapters, and to ask me good questions and help me think through my problems. She and her family made Bowling Green and BGSU a wonderful place to live for me and my family. Along with Lara, Alberto has helped me grow as an intercultural communication and rhetorical scholar. This dissertation is a culmination of what I began to explore in his course Intercultural Communication in 2010. He taught me how to question thoughts and express ideas. I am deeply grateful to him for the long discussions that helped me sort out the details of my topic. He showed me different ways to approach the rhetorical analysis and most importantly he gave me the needed confidence that I can do this. I v am indebted to him for his continuous comments, revisions, guidance and encouragement. I would also like to thank the other two dissertation committee members, Dr. Ellen Gorsevski, and Dr. Marc Simon. In Dr. Ellen’s course Rhetoric of Peace and Conflict I was first exposed to critical rhetorical analysis and peace and conflict communication. Her insightful comments and constructive criticism at different stages of my dissertation were thought-provoking and helped me focus my ideas. She introduced me to Peace Studies and her teachings inspired me to write Chapter VII of this dissertation. I am grateful to Dr. Marc for accepting to be part of my committee and for expressing interest in my topic. His encouragement and practical advice in the beginning stages of this dissertation significantly enriched this study. I am also thankful to him for reading my analysis and for helping me understand and develop my ideas. I also thank my family: my parents, Nehat and Lirije Ziberi, for giving me life in the first place, for educating me, for the unconditional support and encouragement to pursue my interests, even when those interests went beyond boundaries of language, field and geography. My husband, Artan Limani, who accompanied me all the way to US to pursue my studies, for supporting me and listening to my complaints and frustrations, as well as for believing in me. Artan was always there to cheer me up and stood by me through the good times and bad. My beloved daughter Adora deserves the biggest gratitude for her unconditional love that kept me going and for her patience and understanding during the time she had to spend seven months in Macedonia without vi her mommy. I hope this dissertation repays all the emotional unrest that she might have experienced during that period and ultimately helps enable a better future for her. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my Master Thesis advisor from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Dr. John Parrish-Sprowl, who persuaded me to pursue my Ph.D. at the School of Media and Communication at BGSU. John has been a major driving force in my advancement as a scholar and greatly influenced my confidence in this process. I am indebted to him for all his support, guidance and encouragement. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION. NEGOTIATING THE LANDSCAPE OF DIVISION AND MARGINALIZATION .................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER I. QUESTIONING THE IDEOLOGIES OF MULTICULTURALISM .................................................................................................. 5 Questioning ideologies of multiculturalism: Overview of the study ...................................................................................................... 5 Has multiculturalism failed? ......................................................................... 7 Vague, ambiguous, and contested concept ………………………………14 “Multiculturalism” in Macedonia ................................................................................. 15 The Ohrid Framework Agreement ten years later and implications for EU membership.........................................................16 EU accession dialogues and processes.......................................................19 Texts and analysis .......................................................................................................... 21 Research questions ......................................................................................................... 23 Organizing the study ...................................................................................................... 26 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER II. DEFINING AND CONTEXTUALIZING MULTICULTURALISM ...................................................................................................... 30 Scholarly debates on multiculturalism .......................................................................... 31 viii Multiple perspectives ..................................................................................................... 33 Multiculturalism in political sciences ........................................................................... 38 Multiculturalism and indigenous peoples...................................................41 Multiculturalism and immigrant rights.......................................................42 Multiculturalism and national minorities...................................................44 Post-multicultural age? .................................................................................................. 48 Multiculturalism and cultural studies ........................................................................... 52 Critical multiculturalism.............................................................................57 Interculturalism...........................................................................................65 Conclusion