Chantal Mouffe – författare

We are seeing the rise of a populist moment around the world on both the left and the right. Movements like Bernie Sander, Jeremy Corbyn, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have emerged in the midst of the neoliberal crisis. In this book, leading political thinker Chantal Mouffe proposes a left-populist strategy that could bring together the manifold struggles against subordination, oppression and discrimination. In redrawing political frontiers, this "populist moment" points to a "return of the political" after years of postpolitics. This return may open the way for authoritarian solutions-through regimes that weaken liberal-democratic institutions-but it could also lead to a reaffirmation and extension of democratic values.

From the theory of 'deliberative democracy' to the politics of the 'third way', the present Zeitgeist is characterized by attempts to deny what Chantal Mouffe contends is the inherently conflictual nature of democratic politics. Far from being signs of progress, such ideas constitute a serious threat to democratic institutions. Taking issue with John Rawls and Jürgen Habermas on one side, and the political tenets of Blair, Clinton and Schröder on the other, Mouffe brings to the fore the paradoxical nature of modern liberal democracy in which the category of the 'adversary' plays a central role. She draws on the work of Wittgenstein, Derrida, and the provocative theses of Carl Schmitt, to propose a new understanding of democracy which acknowledges the ineradicability of antagonism in its workings.

Chantal Mouffe is one of the most influential political theorists at work today. Her work has influenced political parties across Europe and continues to inform the direction of left politics. In this work, Mouffe argues that liberal democracy misunderstands the problems of ethnic, religious and nationalist conflicts because of its inadequate conception of politics.

Deconstruction and pragmatism constitute two of the major intellectual influences on the contemporary theoretical scene; influences personified in the work of Jacques Derrida and Richard Rorty. Both Rortian pragmatism, which draws the consequences of post-war developments in Anglo-American philosophy, and Derridian deconstruction, which extends and troubles the phonomenological and Heideggerian influence on the Continental tradition, have hitherto generally been viewed as mutually exclusive philosophical language games.The purpose of this volume is to bring deconstruction and pragmatism into critical confrontation with one another through staging a debate between Derrida and Rorty, itself based on discussions that took place at the College International de Philosophie in Paris in 1993. The ground for this debate is layed out in introductory papers by Simon Critchley and Ernesto Laclau, and the remainder of the volume records Derrida's and Rorty's responses to each other's work. Chantal Mouffe gives an overview of the stakes of this debate in a helpful preface.

Deconstruction and pragmatism constitute two of the major intellectual influences on the contemporary theoretical scene; influences personified in the work of Jacques Derrida and Richard Rorty. Both Rortian pragmatism, which draws the consequences of post-war developments in Anglo-American philosophy, and Derridian deconstruction, which extends and troubles the phonomenological and Heideggerian influence on the Continental tradition, have hitherto generally been viewed as mutually exclusive philosophical language games.The purpose of this volume is to bring deconstruction and pragmatism into critical confrontation with one another through staging a debate between Derrida and Rorty, itself based on discussions that took place at the College International de Philosophie in Paris in 1993. The ground for this debate is layed out in introductory papers by Simon Critchley and Ernesto Laclau, and the remainder of the volume records Derrida's and Rorty's responses to each other's work. Chantal Mouffe gives an overview of the stakes of this debate in a helpful preface.

Since September 11th, we frequently hear that political differences should be put aside: the real struggle is between good and evil. What does this mean for political and social life? Is there a 'Third Way' beyond left and right, and if so, should we fear or welcome it?This thought-provoking book by Chantal Mouffe, a globally recognized political author, presents a timely account of the current state of democracy, affording readers the most relevant and up-to-date information.Arguing that liberal 'third way thinking' ignores fundamental, conflicting aspects of human nature, Mouffe states that, far from expanding democracy, globalization is undermining the combative and radical heart of democratic life.Going back first to Aristotle, she identifies the historical origins of the political and reflects on the Enlightenment, and the social contract, arguing that in spite of its good intentions, it levelled the radical core of political life.Contemporary examples, including the Iraq war, racism and the rise of the far right, are used to illustrate and support her theory that far from combating extremism, the quest for consensus politics undermines the ability to challenge it. These case studies are also highly effective points of reference for student revision.On the Political is a stimulating argument about the future of politics and addresses the most fundamental aspects of democracy that will aid further study.

Since September 11th, we frequently hear that political differences should be put aside: the real struggle is between good and evil. What does this mean for political and social life? Is there a 'Third Way' beyond left and right, and if so, should we fear or welcome it?This thought-provoking book by Chantal Mouffe, a globally recognized political author, presents a timely account of the current state of democracy, affording readers the most relevant and up-to-date information.Arguing that liberal 'third way thinking' ignores fundamental, conflicting aspects of human nature, Mouffe states that, far from expanding democracy, globalization is undermining the combative and radical heart of democratic life.Going back first to Aristotle, she identifies the historical origins of the political and reflects on the Enlightenment, and the social contract, arguing that in spite of its good intentions, it levelled the radical core of political life.Contemporary examples, including the Iraq war, racism and the rise of the far right, are used to illustrate and support her theory that far from combating extremism, the quest for consensus politics undermines the ability to challenge it. These case studies are also highly effective points of reference for student revision.On the Political is a stimulating argument about the future of politics and addresses the most fundamental aspects of democracy that will aid further study.

The themes of citizenship and community are today at the center of a fierce debate as both left and right try to mobilize them for their cause. For the left such notions are crucial in all the current attempts to redefine political struggle through extending and deepening democracy. But, argue the contributors to this volume, these concepts need to be made compatible with the pluralism that marks modern democracy. Rather than reject the liberal tradition, they argue, the aim should be to radicalize it.These essays set out to examine what types of "citizen" and "community" might be required by such a radical and plural democracy. From a range of disciplines and a fruitful diversity of theoretical perspectives, the contributors help us to address the following challenge: how to defend the greatest possible pluralism without destroying the very framework of the democratic political community.Despite their differences, a vision emerges from these essays which is sharply at odds both with the universalistic and rationalistic conception to be found in the work of Habermas, and with postmodern celebrations of absolute heterogeneity. For this book is an exploration of politics-of a politics where power, conflict and antagonism will always play a central role.

This book familiarizes the English-speaking reader with the debate on the originality of Gramsci’s thought and its importance for the development of Marxist theory. The contributors present the principal viewpoints regarding Gramsci’s theoretical contribution to Marxism, focussing in particular on his advances in the study of the superstructures, and discussing his relation to Marx and Lenin and his influence in Eurocommunism. Different interpretations are put forward concerning the elucidation of Gramsci’s key concepts, namely: hegemony, integral state, war of position and passive revolution.

This book familiarizes the English-speaking reader with the debate on the originality of Gramsci’s thought and its importance for the development of Marxist theory. The contributors present the principal viewpoints regarding Gramsci’s theoretical contribution to Marxism, focussing in particular on his advances in the study of the superstructures, and discussing his relation to Marx and Lenin and his influence in Eurocommunism. Different interpretations are put forward concerning the elucidation of Gramsci’s key concepts, namely: hegemony, integral state, war of position and passive revolution.

In this hugely influential book, Laclau and Mouffe examine the workings of hegemony and contemporary social struggles, and their significance for democratic theory. With the emergence of new social and political identities, and the frequent attacks on Left theory for its essentialist underpinnings, Hegemony and Socialist Strategy remains as relevant as ever, positing a much-needed antidote against 'Third Way' attempts to overcome the antagonism between Left and Right.

In recent years, the promises of the populist moment have faltered, as seen in the defeats of Jeremy Corbyn, Bernie Sanders, Jean-Luc Melenchon. In addition, the pandemic has brought about a strong need for protection, creating a favorable terrain for authoritarian forms of politics. This new situation represents a challenge for the left, whose rationalism and modernist idea of progress is rightly suspicious of such demands. How, therefore, can the left deal with the economic, social and ecological crisis that the pandemic has brought to the fore? Chantal Mouffe argues that the left should not underestimate the importance of affects when developing a strategy for political change. In fact, after years of 'post-politics', we are witnessing a 'return of the political'. And in response Mouffe proposes the creation of a broad coalition of movements under the banner of a 'Green Democratic Revolution'. This entails the protection of society and its material conditions in a way that empowers people instead of making them retreat in a defensive nationalism or in a passive acceptance of technological solutions. It is protection for the many, not the few, providing social justice and fostering solidarity.Towards a Green Democratic Revolution is a bold rallying cry for political organisation in the post-pandemic era.

In this work, Mouffe argues that liberal democracy misunderstands the problems of ethnic, religious and nationalist conflicts because of its inadequate conception of politics. He suggests that the democratic revolution may be jeopardized by a lack of understanding of citizenship, community and pluralism. Mouffe examines the work of Schmidt and Rawls and explores feminist theory, in an attempt to place the project of radical and plural democracy on a more adequate foundation than is provided by liberal theory.

Carl Schmitt's thought serves as a warning against the dangers of complacency entailed by triumphant liberalism. His conception of politics is a sharp challenge to those who believe that the blurring of frontiers between the left and right and the increasing mobilization of political discourse constitute great advances for democracy. Schmitt reminds us forcefully that the essence of politics is a struggle and that the distinction between friend and enemy cannot be abolished.

Whenever an individual asks to be recognized, he asks for confirmation of what he believes himself to be. But he also asks for an establishing act which brings about what he is not yet and what he will be only once he has been recognized. Recognition is thus marked by a tension between two incompatible demands, a tension which triggers a struggle for recognition.Between Cultures is a philosophical attempt to discuss issues related to multiculturalism in the light of this struggle for recognition. Moving effortlessly between philosophy, psychoanalysis, sociology, political theory and literature, it refers to the work of Adorno, Derrida, Freud, Hegel, Heidegger, Rawls, Walzer and Wittgenstein to describe a historical and critical politics of recognition. It also addresses questions of national and sexual identities, with particular reference to the notion of a gay identity in the context of Aids.

The rise of Podemos in Spain is part of a wave of European left political initiatives that are putting forward new ideas for change and innovative ways of thinking about politics. The traditional left in Europe has been in difficulties for some time now: the communist tradition is a shadow of its former self, while social democracy seems unable to meet the challenge of the financial crisis. The thinkers and activists of Podemos have been at the forefront of rethinking based on moving away from orthodoxies, bringing new hope to the left.In this book Inigo Errejo n of Podemos and political theorist Chantal Mouffe discuss the emergence of these new movements, and in particular of Podemos. They critically engage with both the older traditions and the newly emerging parties and movements. They explore new ways of creating collective identities, and building majorities, while also reflecting on the major political challenges facing the left. The conversation between them is an intervention from two people who are ideally placed to draw on the seminal earlier theoretical work of Mouffe with Ernesto Laclau, and to link it directly into the practice of the new politics.This book is therefore important reading for those interested in the state of the contemporary European left in general, and specifically in the strategic issues facing Podemos in Spain.It makes an essential contribution towards the creation of a new left politics.

Kan Europa någonsin enas? Är ”demokrati” och ”västvärlden” liktydiga begrepp? Vad är radikal politik? Finns det en kritisk konst och kultur? Hur kan vi verka för en multipolär värld präglad av kulturell och politisk pluralism? I Agonistik utvecklar Chantal Mouffe sin agonistiska demokratimodell genom att undersöka internationella relationer, politiska strategier, politisk konst och frågan om Europas framtid. Hon utgår från att politiska konflikter är oundvikliga, men att de inte måste bli ”antagonistiska”, en kamp mellan fiender, utan bör förbli ”agonistiska”, en kamp mellan meningsmotståndare. Chantal Mouffe är politisk filosof och professor i politisk teori vid Westminster-universitetet i London. Boken, som är hennes tredje på svenska, är försedd med en introduktion av Dalia Mukhtar-Landgren och Per-Anders Svärd. Utgiven i samarbete med tidskriften Fronesis.

I Fronesis nr 1 lyfts grundläggande maktfrågor. Fokus sätts på ekonomins ständiga konfliktdimension. I stället för att se ekonomins demokratisering som en historisk nödvändighet, diskuterar vi den som en möjlighet att utmana maktförhållanden som alltför ofta tas för givna. Men det handlar inte bara om maktförhållanden inom den ekonomiska sfären, utan även om vad som konstituerar ekonomin som avskild sfär med egen logik. Det politiska handlar lika mycket om maktkamp inom en viss sfär som en kamp om denna sfärs gränser mot samhällets övriga liv. Innehåll i Fronesis nr 1 (202 sidor): Olle Sahlström: Praktiskt förnuft Svante Skoglund: I stället för cynism och uppgivenhet Magnus Wennerhag: Varför demokratisk ekonomi? Jan Lindhagen: Vid källan smakar vattnet bäst eller Varför går vi medströms? Anders Kalat: Tänkande utan grund Ernesto Laclau och Chantal Mouffe: Socialdemokratin: Från stagnation till ”plantänkande” Gunnar Hansson: Gillesocialismen och Cole G. D. H. Cole: Gilletankens uppkomst Gunnar Hansson: SAP och Wigforss Utdrag ur protokoll från SAP:s kongress 1920: Industriell demokrati Gunnar Hansson: Wigforss och industriell demokrati Klas Gustavsson: Antonio Gramsci Antonio Gramsci: Amerikanism och Fordism Rudolf Meidner: Några kommentarer till ”Det sociala ägandet av kapital” Richard Minns: Det sociala ägandet av kapital Cecilia von Otter: Inte bara en fråga om klass Aleksandra Ålund: Etniska ungdomar och den sociala krisen - Om utbildning, arbete och identitet Alice Kessler-Harris: Genusidentitet: Rätten till arbete och idén om ett ekonomiskt medborgarskap

Vi lever i en tid då den politiska samstämmigheten har gjorts till dygd inom politiken. Under 1990- och 2000-talet lämnade många socialdemokratiska partier den polariserande vänsterpositionen till förmån för det harmoniska mittenfältet. Samtidigt är det just frånvaron av politiska konflikter och reella alternativ som har banat väg för ytterhögerns framgångar. Och med den ekonomiska globaliseringen minskar kapitalets behov av att söka samförstånd med såväl stat som fackföreningsrörelse. I Fronesis nr 3–4 uppmärksammas politikens nödvändiga konfliktdimension. Innehåll i Fronesis nr 3-4 (192 sidor): Thomas Tidholm: Den politiska situationen Anders Kalat och Cecilia von Otter: Politik är antagonism Anders Kalat och Camilla Lundberg: Politisk identitet och antagonism: klass, kön och etnicitet Chantal Mouffe: Hegemoni och nya politiska subjekt: med sikte mot ett nytt demokratibegrepp Floya Anthias och Nira Yuval-Davis: Att sätta feminismen i sin kontext – genusmässiga, etniska och klassmässiga skiljelinjer Slavoj Zizek: Mångkulturalismen eller den multinationella kapitalismens kulturella logik Klas Gustavsson: Negri, Sinisi och den politiska ekonomin John Sinisi: Hobbes skugga Antonio Negri: Keynes och den kapitalistiska teorin om staten Yvonne Hirdman: Ett småberusat middagstal Per-Albin Hansson: Kvinnokraften LO:s kongress 1936 (protokoll): Saltsjöbadsförhandlingarna och samförståndet Iris Young: Uppror i det välfärdskapitalistiska samhället Linnea Nilsson: En politik utan antagonismer? Perry Anderson: En kommentar: Makt, politik och upplysningen Helen Wilkinson: Fortfarande det Andra könet Richard Rorty: Tillbaka till klasspolitiken

Hegemonin och den socialistiska strategin (1985) är en klassiker inom den politiska teorin, en given referens­punkt för dagens samhällsdebatter och ett av huvudverken inom diskursanalysen. Genom utmanande och engagerande läsningar av marxistiska 1900-tals­klassiker som Karl Kautsky, Rosa Luxemburg, Georges Sorel, Leo Trotskij och Antonio Gramsci mejslar statsvetarna Ernesto Laclau och Chantal