Agonistics

Thinking The World Politically

Political conflict in our society is inevitable, and its results are often far from negative. How then should we deal with the intractable differences arising from complex modern culture?

Developing her groundbreaking political philosophy of agonistics – the search for a radical and plural democracy – Chantal Mouffe examines international relations, strategies for radical politics, the future of Europe and the politics of artistic practices. She shows that in many circumstances where no alternatives seem possible, agonistics offers a new road map for change. Engaging with
cosmopolitanism, post-operaism, and theories of multiple modernities she argues in favour of a multipolar world with real cultural and political pluralism.
'Mouffe represents a position that every serious student of contemporary political thought must acknowledge and come to terms with.'—Philosophers’ Magazine

'Evocative and challenging’ —Radical Philosophy

‘An indispensable readHarvard Educational Review

‘Important and timely’—Political Theory
 
Chantal Mouffe is Professor of Political Theory at the University of Westminster in London. She has taught and researched at many universities around the world and is a corresponding member of the College International de Philosophie, Paris. Her previous books include The Democratic Paradox, The Return of the Political, The Dimensions of Radical Democracy, The Challenge of Carl Schmitt, and, coauthored with Ernesto Laclau, Hegemony and Socialist Strategy.

About

Political conflict in our society is inevitable, and its results are often far from negative. How then should we deal with the intractable differences arising from complex modern culture?

Developing her groundbreaking political philosophy of agonistics – the search for a radical and plural democracy – Chantal Mouffe examines international relations, strategies for radical politics, the future of Europe and the politics of artistic practices. She shows that in many circumstances where no alternatives seem possible, agonistics offers a new road map for change. Engaging with
cosmopolitanism, post-operaism, and theories of multiple modernities she argues in favour of a multipolar world with real cultural and political pluralism.

Reviews

'Mouffe represents a position that every serious student of contemporary political thought must acknowledge and come to terms with.'—Philosophers’ Magazine

'Evocative and challenging’ —Radical Philosophy

‘An indispensable readHarvard Educational Review

‘Important and timely’—Political Theory
 

Author

Chantal Mouffe is Professor of Political Theory at the University of Westminster in London. She has taught and researched at many universities around the world and is a corresponding member of the College International de Philosophie, Paris. Her previous books include The Democratic Paradox, The Return of the Political, The Dimensions of Radical Democracy, The Challenge of Carl Schmitt, and, coauthored with Ernesto Laclau, Hegemony and Socialist Strategy.