The discourses of food in the world system: Toward a nexus analysis of a world problem

This paper examines the role of discourse analysis in addressing the devastating consequences of the rapid restructuring of food production in the world system. I argue that although this is an issue far too large to encompass within discourse analysis, discourse analysis has much to contribute as part of an interdisciplinary and comprehensive analytical approach. Such an approach, a ‘nexus analysis’, consists of analyzing focal points or nexus which are mediated actions through which circulate cycles of discourse. The paper begins with an analysis of product labels and concludes by sketching the outlines of a constellation of three linked research projects: Prandial practices which examines practices of daily food consumption, Corn, tea, and intellectual property, which examines the world-wide industrialization of food production and consumption, and Mad cows, scallions, and global climate change which examines the consequences of this world food system for public and personal health.