floating signifier

plural floating signifiers

1. human sciencesA signifier—that is, a linguistic sign, a label or slogan—with a vague and variable meaning.

   1 more example

   However, the elite as a target for populist resentments remains quite fuzzy and rather serves as a floating signifier oscillating between the ‘political establishment’, the ‘economic elite’, the ‘cultural elite’ and the ‘media elite’: in short, one homogenous corrupt group that works against the ‘general will’.

   2020, Ina Kudde, Miranda Loli, “Corruption and populism: the linkage”, in Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, Paul M. Heywood, editors, A Research Agenda for Studies of Corruption, →ISBN, page 122

   Synonyms: empty signifier, master signifier