Thinking Antagonism - by Oliver Marchart (Paperback)

About the Book

Oliver Marchart presents the main features of Ernesto Laclau's ontology and tracks the development of antagonism from German Idealism via Marx to today's post-Marxism. In doing so, he demonstrates Laclau's significant contribution to the current 'ontological turn' in political thought.

Book Synopsis

Ernesto Laclau (1935-2014) was one of the major theoretical voices on the Left. His concept of antagonism is the cornerstone of his theory of hegemony and the organising concept in his political ontology. Oliver Marchart presents the main features of this ontology and tracks the development of antagonism from German Idealism via Marx to today's post-Marxism. In doing so, he demonstrates Laclau's significant contribution to the current 'ontological turn' in political thought. By carving out the philosophical implications of antagonism, Marchart proposes a new theory of 'thinking' as a collective, political and conflictual practice.

From the Back Cover

A systematic genealogical treatment of Laclau's antagonism Ernesto Laclau's conception of antagonism is described as one of the main achievements in contemporary social thought. Antagonism is not only the cornerstone of his theory of hegemony, it also involves a political ontology. Oliver Marchart presents the main features of this ontology, tracks the development of antagonism from German Idealism via Marx to today's post-Marxism and demonstrates Laclau's significant contribution to the current 'ontological turn' in political thought. By carving out the philosophical implications of antagonism, Marchart proposes a novel theory of 'thinking' as a collective, political and conflictual practice. Oliver Marchart is Professor of Political Theory at the Department of Political Science, University of Vienna. He is the author of Post-Foundational Political Thought: Political Difference in Nancy, Lefort, Badiou and Laclau and co-editor, with Simon Critchley, of Laclau: A Critical Reader.

Review Quotes

As this is a book that slaughters many sacred cows in philosophy and political theory, it may equally cause outrage, astonishment, disagreement, admiration or unconditional praise, but only great books can engender such mixed reactions thanks to the wealth of provocative ideas and creative rereadings they propose.--Vassilios Paipais, University of St Andrews "Etica & Politica / Ethics & Politics"

Oliver Marchart constructs an elaborate ontologisation of the political that builds on theories developed by the Essex School while relying on Heideggerianism and Hegelianism. This original thought is a powerful and convincing attempt to think the ontology of the political without lapsing into a celebration of essentialist grounding or complete groundlessness, which are equally meta-physical and mutually supporting positions.--Dimitris Vardoulakis, Western Sydney University "Etica & Politica / Ethics & Politics"

Oliver Marchart has established himself as one of the foremost thinkers to emerge out of the intellectual tradition coalescing around the post-Marxism of Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe.--David Payne, Södertörn University Stockholm "Etica & Politica / Ethics & Politics"

Oliver Marchart's book Thinking Antagonism is a great achievement. As always it is a pleasure to read him, the book is well argued, clearly written, displaying insights in left Hegelian and left Heideggerian intellectual history which is simply impressive. Engaging with the broader 'ontological turn', he manages to move from the deepest ontological (un-)ground of the political to micro politics as it is enacted in our everyday lives--Allan Dreyer Hansen, Roskilde University "Etica & Politica / Ethics & Politics"

Thinking Antagonism is brilliantly conceived and lucidly written. It is a clear introduction to the important field of political ontology, a worthy testament to the intellectual legacy of Ernesto Laclau, and a significant radicalization of his central intuition. Marchart's command of the material underwrites a complex and compelling argument for restoring the concept of antagonism to its central place in radical democratic theory. To think antagonism is to identify not an object to be known but a moment of insistent negativity that is the irreducible condition of political resistance. This book should be read by anyone interested in the future of the Left and the possibilities of critical political thought.--Linda Zerilli, The University of Chicago

About the Author

Oliver Marchart is Professor of Political Theory in the Department of Political Science at University of Vienna.