Violence and Civility: On the Limits of Political Philosophy (The Wellek Library Lectures)

In this impassioned argument, Étienne Balibar boldly confronts the insidious causes of violence, racism, nationalism, and ethnic cleansing worldwide. Through a novel synthesis of theory and empirical studies of violence drawn from contemporary life, Balibar tests the limits of political philosophy to formulate new, productive conceptions of war, revolution, sovereignty, and class. Using the pathbreaking thought of Derrida as a starting point, Balibar designs a topography of cruelty converted into extremism by ideology, juxtaposing its subjective forms (identity delusions, the desire for exter. Read more... Abstract: In this impassioned argument, Étienne Balibar boldly confronts the insidious causes of violence, racism, nationalism, and ethnic cleansing worldwide. Through a novel synthesis of theory and empirical studies of violence drawn from contemporary life, Balibar tests the limits of political philosophy to formulate new, productive conceptions of war, revolution, sovereignty, and class. Using the pathbreaking thought of Derrida as a starting point, Balibar designs a topography of cruelty converted into extremism by ideology, juxtaposing its subjective forms (identity delusions, the desire for exter In 'violence And Civility', Étienne Balibar Boldly Confronts The Insidious Causes Of Violence, Racism, Nationalism, And Ethnic Cleansing Worldwide, As Well As Mass Poverty And Dispossession. Through A Novel Synthesis Of Theory And Empirical Studies Of Contemporary Violence, The Acclaimed Thinker Pushes Past The Limits Of Political Philosophy To Reconceive War, Revolution, Sovereignty, And Class. Through The Pathbreaking Thought Of Derrida, Balibar Builds A Topography Of Cruelty Converted Into Extremism By Ideology, Juxtaposing Its Subjective Forms (identity Delusions, The Desire For Extermination, And The Pursuit Of Vengeance) And Its Objective Manifestations (capitalist Exploitation And An Institutional Disregard For Life). Engaging With Marx, Hegel, Hobbes, Clausewitz, Schmitt, And Luxemburg, Balibar Introduces A New, Productive Understanding Of Politics As Antiviolence And A Fresh Approach To Achieving And Sustaining Civility. Rooted In The Principles Of Transformation And Empowerment, This Theory Brings Hope To A World Increasingly Divided Even As It Draws Closer Together.-- From Extreme Violence To The Problem Of Civility -- Hegel, Hobbes And The Conversion Of Violence -- Inconvertible Violence? An Essay In Topography -- Strategies Of Civility. Étienne Balibar ; Translated By G.m. Goshgarian. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Translated From The French. In 'Violence and Civility', Étienne Balibar boldly confronts the insidious causes of violence, racism, nationalism, and ethnic cleansing worldwide, as well as mass poverty and dispossession. Through a novel synthesis of theory and empirical studies of contemporary violence, the acclaimed thinker pushes past the limits of political philosophy to reconceive war, revolution, sovereignty, and class. Through the pathbreaking thought of Derrida, Balibar builds a topography of cruelty converted into extremism by ideology, juxtaposing its subjective forms (identity delusions, the desire for extermination, and the pursuit of vengeance) and its objective manifestations (capitalist exploitation and an institutional disregard for life). Engaging with Marx, Hegel, Hobbes, Clausewitz, Schmitt, and Luxemburg, Balibar introduces a new, productive understanding of politics as antiviolence and a fresh approach to achieving and sustaining civility. Rooted in the principles of transformation and empowerment, this theory brings hope to a world increasingly divided even as it draws closer together.-- Provided by publisher Étienne Balibar is emeritus professor of philosophy at Paris X Nanterre and emeritus professor of comparative literature at the University of California, Irvine. He is currently professor of modern European philosophy at Kingston University, London, and visiting professor at Columbia University. His books include Reading Capital (with Louis Althusser); Race, Nation, Class: Ambiguous Identites (with Immanuel Wallerstein); The Philosophy of Marx; Spinoza and Politics; and Equaliberty: Political Essays. PHI034000,Philosophy/Social,PHI019000,Philosophy/Political