Democracy and the Political Unconscious (New Directions in Critical Theory Book 10)

Political philosopher Noëlle McAfee proposes a powerful new political theory for our post-9/11 world, in which an old pathology-the repetition compulsion-has manifested itself in a seemingly endless war on terror. McAfee argues that the quintessentially human desire to participate in a world with others is the key to understanding the public sphere and to creating a more democratic society, a world that all members can have a hand in shaping. But when some are effectively denied this participation, whether through trauma or terror, instead of democratic politics, there arises a political unconscious, an effect of desires unarticulated, failures to sublimate, voices kept silent, and repression reenacted. Not only is this condition undemocratic and unjust, it may lead to further trauma. Unless its troubles are worked through, a political community risks continual repetition and even self-destruction. McAfee deftly weaves together her experience as an observer of democratic life with an array of intellectual schemas, from poststructural psychoanalysis to Rawlsian and Habermasian democratic theories, as well as semiotics, civic republicanism, and American pragmatism. She begins with an analysis of the traumatic effects of silencing members of a political community. Then she explores the potential of deliberative dialogue and other "talking cures" and public testimonies, such as the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to help societies work through, rather than continually act out, their conflicts. __Democracy and the Political Unconscious__ is rich in theoretical insights, but it is also grounded in the practical problems of those who are trying to process the traumas of oppression, terror, and brutality and create more decent and democratic societies. Drawing on a breathtaking range of theoretical frameworks and empirical observations, __Democracy and the Political Unconscious__ charts a course for democratic transformation in a world sorely lacking in democratic practice. "Political philosopher Noelle McAfee proposes a powerful new political theory for our post-9/11 world, in which an old pathology--the repetition compulsion--has manifested itself in a seemingly endless war on terror. McAfee argues that the quintessentially human desire to participate in a world with others is the key to understanding the public sphere and to creating a more democratic society, a world that all members can have a hand in shaping. But when some are effectively denied this participation, whether through trauma or terror, instead of democratic politics, there arises a political unconscious, an effect of desires unarticulated, failures to sublimate, voices kept silent, and repression reenacted. Not only is this condition undemocratic and unjust, it may lead to further trauma. Unless its troubles are worked through, a political community risks continual repetition and even self-destruction. McAfee deftly weaves together her experience as an observer of democratic life with an array of intellectual schemas, from poststructural psychoanalysis to Rawlsian and Habermasian democratic theories, as well as semiotics, civic republicanism, and American pragmatism. She begins with an analysis of the traumatic effects of silencing members of a political community. Then she explores the potential of deliberative dialogue and other 'talking cures' and public testimonies, such as the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to help societies work through, rather than continually act out, their conflicts. Democracy and the Political Unconscious is rich in theoretical insights, but it is also grounded in the practical problems of those who are trying to process the traumas of oppression, terror, and brutality and create more decent and democratic societies. Drawing on a breathtaking range of theoretical frameworks and empirical observations, Democracy and the Political Unconscious charts a course for democratic transformation in a world sorely lacking in democratic practice."-- Provided by publisher A Brief History Of Korean Literature To The Nineteenth Century -- Pt. 1. An Anthology Of Korean Literature. Song Of The Oriole. Book 1: Tan'gun (ancient Choson). Book 2: The Story Of Lady Suro. Book 2: Ch'oyong And Manghae Temple. Book 2: King Mu. Would You Go? Song Of Green Mountains. History As Literature: The Political And Cultural Transition From Koryo To Choson. The Sijo Exchange Between Yi Pang-won And Chong Mong-ju. Book 2: The Ten Injunctions And The Death Of Wang Kon. Book 117: Biographies: Chong Mong-ju. Song Of The Dragons Flying To Heaven. Early Choson (1392-1598). Sijo Songs. Song Of The Five Friends / Yun Son-do. Sijo / Chong Ch'ol. Sijo (ascribed To Kisaeng). Song To Spring / Chong Kug-in. Song Of Longing / Chong Ch'ol. Song Of A Humble Life / Pak Il-lo. Married Sorrow / Ho Nansorhon. Hansi / Yi Kyu-bo / [et Al.]. Hansi / Ho Nansorhon. Hansi / Lady Chong / [et Al.]. The Story Of Master Ho / Pak Chi-won David R. Mccann. Includes Bibliographical References (p.[175]-176) And Indexes. Preeminent scholar and translator David R. McCann presents an anthology of his own translations of works ranging across the major genres and authors of Korean writing--stories, legends, poems, historical vignettes, and other works--and a set of critical essays on major themes. A brief history of traditional Korean literature orients the reader to the historical context of the writings, thus bringing into focus this rich literary tradition. The anthology of translations begins with the Samguk sagi, or History of the Three Kingdoms, written in 1145, and ends with "The Story of Master Hô," written in the late 1700s. Three exploratory essays of particular subtlety and lucidity raise interpretive and comparative issues that provide a creative, sophisticated framework for approaching the selections Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: The Sociosymbolic Public Sphere 1. The Political Unconscious 2. Modernity’s Traumas 3. Targeting the Public Sphere 4. The Repetition Compulsion or the Endless War on Terror 5. Recovering Community 6. Deliberative Democracy 7. Feminist Theory, Politics, and Freedom 8. Public Knowledge 9. Three Models of Democratic Deliberation 10. The Limits of Deliberation, Democratic Myths, New Frontiers 11. Media and the Public Sphere Epilogue Notes Works Cited Index Preeminent scholar and translator David R. McCann presents an anthology of his own translations of classic works encompassing the major genres and authors of the Korean literary tradition -stories, legends, poems, historical vignettes, and other works -with introductory essays to aid in their understanding. "Democracy and the Political Unconscious is rich in theoretical insights, but it is also grounded in the practical problems of those who are trying to process the traumas of oppression, terror, and brutality and create more decent and democratic societies."--Jacket The Samguk sagi, History of the Three Kingdoms-Silla, Paekche, and Koguryo-was written at royal request by Kim Pu-sik (1075-1151).