Laclau A Critical Reader [Paperback]

Laclau: A Critical Readeris the first full-length critical appraisal of Laclau's work and includes contributions from several leading philosophers and theorists. The first section examines Laclau's theory that the contest between universalism and particularism provides much of the philosophical background to political and social struggle, taking up the important place accorded to, amongst others, Hegel and Lacan in Laclau's work. The second section of the book considers what Laclau's 'radical democracy' might look like and reflects on its ethical implications, particularly in relation to Laclau's post-Marxism and thinkers such as J?rgen Habermas. The final section investigates the place of hegemony in Laclau's work, the idea for which he is perhaps best-known.

This stimulating collection also includes replies to his critics by Laclau and the important exchange between Laclau and Judith Butler on equality, making it an excellent companion to Laclau's work and essential reading for students of political and social theory.

Introduction  Section 1: Philosophy: Universality, Singularity, DifferenceRodolphe Gasch?  How Empty Can Empty Be?  On the Place of the Universal Fred Dallmayr  Laclau and Hegemony: Some (Post) Hegelian Caveats Oliver Marchart  Politics and the Ontological Difference: On the Strictly Philosophical in Laclau's Work Rado RihaPolitics as the Real of Philosophy Linda ZerilliThis Universalism Which Is Not One Section 2: Democracy: Politics, Ethics, NormativitySimon Critchley  Is there a Normative Deficit in the Theory of Hegemony? Mark Devenney  Ethics and Politics in Discourse Theory Aletta Norval  Democratic Decisions and the Question of Universality: Rethinking Recent Approaches