Steven Lukes and the 'three-dimensional' power of neoliberal discourse : a case study of Australian policy documentation

Abstract

Steven Lukes' 'three-dimensional' theory of power offers an empirical, process-oriented and discourse-focused framework for studying 'power over' and the manipulation of interests in the context of political power. Despite receiving a lot of attention and critique in the immediate wake of its publication in 1973, Lukes' second edition, which expands, revises and defends his theory in response to this critique, has been all but overlooked in recent studies of political discourse and neoliberal hegemony, with many authors instead favouring Marxist or Foucauldian approaches. This thesis tests the usefulness of Lukes' framework, by applying it to the use of discourse in the Australian Government Response to the Competition Policy Review. In particular, it focuses on the processes by which interests can be influenced, shaped or determined: an issue that Lukes only briefly discusses, but that critically informs his theoretical approach, by focusing on a particular moment of policy formation. The Response is a recent piece of pro-competition policy documentation, and is informed by a history of neoliberal and economic rationalist rhetoric. While Lukes' framework has seen numerous case studies, most of these focus on the impact of domination, and are therefore retrospective. As a recent document, most of the policies the Response discusses have not yet been enacted, therefore it represents an attempt to influence the interests of readers, while not yet having a broad impact. This provides a new perspective on Lukes' framework, and expands it to allow for analysis of prospective cases of domination.

Date of Award	2017
Original language	English