Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the concept of 'discourse capture' in the context of global anti-feminist and anti-queer politics.

Paper long abstract:

Contemporary politics has been characterised by a widening gap between formal institutional politics and protest politics, with less people engaging in elections and more in non-violent mass movements. This shift has also seen a well-documented systematic attack on feminism and democracy, often accompanied by not only elements of 'state capture', but also what I term 'discourse capture'. The former where state processes are manipulated by private firms or individuals for their gain, and the latter, where progressive discourse is co-opted and manipulated to serve right wing agendas. This 'discourse capture' is particularly evident in 'anti-gender' and anti-feminist politics, where the language of 'rights' and 'freedom' traditionally associated with a liberal agenda, is being used by right-wing actors to undermine and rollback progressive legal statutes such as abortion rights, or constitutional protections for LGBTQI people. Within this context, we need to look beyond stated political objectives, and be particularly vigilant to who is driving specific change agendas and why, if we wish to avoid ceding institutional power to the right.