Politically Correct and In/Exclusion: a Non-ideal Perspective

The present chapter explores the topics of political correctness and of inclusive language behaviours in terms of the role that individual vis-a-vis group identity building, emotions, and motivated reasoning play in causing conflictual positioning. In order to account for conflictual language, a non-ideal theoretical perspective seems required. However, we should beware of idealizing Political Correctness itself, as if it were beyond identity construction and conflict. This idealization occurs when the implicit assumption is made that differences in identities are nothing but a value we all share; consequently, they do not constitute a threat of conflict. But this does not seem to be the case, as we outline in the two case studies that analyse Twitter data to assess users’ take on what Political Correctness is in Italy, and to explore how UK users interact on topics related to inclusive policies. We also analyse the ‘externalization’ effect of ignoring that conflict is a natural consequence of identity building and positioning.