Thinking Antagonism

Discover Ernesto Laclau’s theory of antagonism and how it contributes to political and cultural thought

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.

Key Features

• The most in-depth engagement with Laclau’s thinking so far
• The first systematic and genealogical treatment of antagonism
• Follows the reception of Laclau’s thought in political philosophy, human geography and cultural studies
• Presents a complete picture of Laclau’s theories of hegemony, discourse and populism
• Contributes to the current ‘ontological turn’ in political theory by proposing a never-before developed systematic ontology of the political
• Critically engages with conflict theories, including Foucault’s ‘polemology’