Language, Hegemony and the European Union

This book critically examines the European Union’s “Unity in Diversity” mantra with regard to language. It uses a theoretical framework based on hegemony both as a system and as a relationship. Operating within sociolinguistics, the book replaces the notion of ideology in poststructuralist thought with that of hegemony. The authors argue that forging unity across language communities contradicts the tenets of classical liberal theory. Global neo-liberalism influences this orthodoxy, shifting the parameters of power and political control. Over nine chapters, the authors cover topics such as globalization and social change, justice, governance and education. The book will be of interest to sociolinguists, political scientists, sociologists, as well as scholars of language and globalization and European studies.

Glyn Williams is a former Ford Foundation Foreign Fellow and was educated at the University of Wales, UK, and the University of California, Berkeley, USA. Prior to retirement he worked at the University of San Francisco, USA, Bangor University, UK, Cardiff University, UK and Ramon Llull University, Spain.  He is author or co-author of thirteen books and more than a hundred academic papers.Gruffudd Williams is an independent scholar educated at University College, London, UK, and Oxford University, UK. He went on to work at the European Commission in Brussels. He is currently employed in private practice at the London office of an international law firm.