Step 2: select texts and categories for analysis
With respect to Step 2, the constitution of the object of research indicates the selection of texts in which the macro-strategies of depoliticization and politicization are semiotically realized. My examples here are both written texts, but one would also want to include, for instance, not only discussions, debates and interviews on TV and radio, and websites, but also material from campaigns, protests and demonstrations centred upon ‘the global economy’ and government strategy and policy oriented towards it, and material representing how people experience and react to the drive for ‘competitiveness’ in a variety of situated contexts (e.g. conversations and discussion within workplaces). Appropriate focuses and categories for the analysis include semiotic strategies which realize de/politicization, including argumentation and rhetorical strategies, as well as semiotic aspects and realizations of legitimation, manipulation, ideology, cooperation and identity. I shall be more specific about some of these in discussing the texts