On Populist ReasonWhat are the political logics explaining the spread of populist experiences in the contemporary world? What is involved in constructing the idea of the people? And how does this construction relate to other forms of political subjectivity -- classes, corporations and other forms of association? Laclau's analysis of populist experiences begins with a critique of current approaches to populism, illustrated by two essential cases: the formation of a popular identity in French Jacobinism, and the dissolution of such an identity in the aftermath of British Chartism. This is followed by a discussion of the classical theories of mass psychology -- by Le Bon, Tarde, Freud, etc. -- and of the role of the lumpenproletariat in Marx's work. Finally Laclau examines a series of historical examples of populism, drawn mainly from American, Canadian, Argentinian and Turkish experiences |
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Contents
Populism Ambiguities and Paradoxes | 3 |
Le Bon Suggestion and Distorted Representations | 21 |
Suggestion Imitation Identification | 31 |
CONSTRUCTING THE PEOPLE | 65 |
The People and the Discursive Production of Emptiness | 67 |
Floating Signifiers and Social Heterogeneity | 129 |
Populism Representation and Democracy | 157 |
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Common terms and phrases
alternative analysis approach articulation asserts associated attempt becomes called central clear common conceived concept concerning constitution construction crowd demands democracy democratic described determination differential discourse discussion distinction effects elements emergence empty signifier entirely equivalence equivalential equivalential chain established example existing expression fact forces Freud frontier fullness function give given going hand hegemonic heterogeneous historical idea identification identity ideological important individual instance internal involves Italy kind latter leader less limits logic Marxism mass means move movement nature notion object operation opposition organized partial particular Party political popular popular identities populism populist position possible present purely question radical reason refer relation representation represented requires result rhetoric role seen sense signifier simply situation social society starting structure struggle symbolic theory thing tion tradition unity universal whole Žižek
References to this book
Logics of Critical Explanation in Social and Political Theory Jason Glynos,David R. Howarth No preview available - 2007 |
Politics on the Edges of Liberalism: Difference, Populism, Revolution, Agitation Benjamín Arditi No preview available - 2007 |