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Revisiting the Master-Signifier, or, Mandela and Repression.

Derek Hook1, Stijn Vanheule2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of PretoriaPretoria, South Africa.

Frontiers in Psychology
|February 3, 2016
PubMed
Summary

This study revisits the master-signifier concept in socio-political discourse, focusing on unconscious processes. Nelson Mandela functions as a master-signifier in South Africa, uniting society and managing repressed undercurrents.

Keywords:
Lacanian psychoanalysisMandeladiscoursediscourse of the mastermaster-signifierpsychoanalysisrepressionsignifier

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Area of Science:

  • Psychoanalysis
  • Political Discourse Theory
  • Sociology

Background:

  • The master-signifier concept is widely used in political discourse and ideology critique.
  • Existing literature often overlooks the clinical implications of master-signifiers in individual psychical economies.
  • The political application of master-signifiers can detach the concept from unconscious dynamics and repression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-examine the master-signifier concept within the socio-political domain.
  • To investigate the role of unconscious processes, fantasy, and repression in the functioning of master-signifiers.
  • To analyze Nelson Mandela's function as a master-signifier in contemporary South Africa.

Main Methods:

  • Revisiting Lacanian theory on master-signifiers.
  • Analyzing socio-political discourse in post-apartheid South Africa.
  • Examining unconscious processes of fantasy and repression in relation to a specific political figure.

Main Results:

  • Nelson Mandela serves as a master-signifier, integrating diverse post-apartheid South African society.
  • Mandela's symbolic function enables the national fantasy of a unified post-apartheid nation.
  • This function also serves to contain repressed societal conflicts and negated elements.

Conclusions:

  • The master-signifier concept remains relevant in socio-political analysis when considering unconscious dynamics.
  • Nelson Mandela exemplifies how a political figure can function as a master-signifier to shape national identity and manage societal tensions.
  • Understanding these dynamics is crucial for comprehending post-conflict societal cohesion and the persistence of repressed issues.