discursive formation

is a regularity between objects, statements, concepts, and thematic choices.

Whenever one can describe, between a number of statements, such a system of dispersion, whenever, between objects, types of statement, concepts, or thematic choices, one can define a regularity (an order. correlations, positions and functionings, transformations), we will say, for the sake of convenience, that we are dealing with a discursive formation' (Foucault archeolgy 38)

is a scientific discipline phrased in such a way to point out that disciplines take form out of a coherent group of discourses that is regulated by specific historical and social practices.

The discursive formation is roughly equivalent to a scientific discipline .. 'A coherent group of discourses unified by a regularity of discursive practices that is, in its turn, determined by a set of rules. Foucault's methoddescribes 'systems of dispersions' between statements, and seeks regularities only there. Wherever such regularities of dispersion can be found there is adiscursive formation. 'Whenever one can describe, between a number of statements, such a system of dispersion... whenever, between objects, types of statement, concepts, or thematic choices, one can define a regularity weare dealing with a discursive formation' (Foucault 1972:38).

is defined by the contradictory discourses it contains. Tolerance for contradiction is a sign of its stability.

An established 'discursive formation' is in fact defined by the contradictory discourses it contains and this tolerance Foucault understands as a sign of stability rather than as it would be understood in Marxism, for example, of conflict and potential change.' (net).

is defined not merely on what a discourse includes as legitimate objects of knowledge (things to think about ) and objects of governmental practices (possible points of intervention), but also, and perhaps even more so, by what it excludes.

Considered in these terms, that which a discourse marginalizes, indeed excludes, is as, if not more, important, from both an explanatory and political viewpoint, as that which it includes as legitimate objects of knowledge (as issues for investigation) and governmental practice (as problems of intervention). Thus, the system of rules and conditions that make certain discursive formations viable, while marginalizing others, is the outcome of a complex interaction between material and ideational practices that define the terrain on which the objects and subjects of social life emerge'.

is the analysis of particular institutions and their ways of establishing orders of truth, or what is accepted as 'reality' in a given society'.

Foucault gave the name of discursive practices and discursive formation to the analysis of particular institutions and their ways of establishing orders of truth, or what is accepted as reality in a given society.

discursive formation, n.Definitions

discursive formation