Politics and Post-structuralism: An Introduction

Post-structuralism is recognized as a major force within literary and cultural studies. This book applies the theory to politics and shows the ways in which it can illuminate political theory and analysis. The authors explore the two-way relationship, showing not only that post-structuralism can enhance the study of politics, but also that advocates of post-structuralism can benefit from being open to the lessons political studies can teach. The book aims to: clarify the relationship of contemporary theory to politics; open up a new intellectual interface; create a space for exchange between disciplines; and provide a statement of the role of post-structuralist theory in politics. Covering three main sections - What is Post-Structuralist political theory?; Post-structuralism and political analysis; and the question of the political - the authors draw on themes raised by continental thinkers such as Derrida, Nancy and Deleuze, and Anglo-American thinkers such as Butler and Connolly in their questioning of the theoretical and empirical understanding of contemporary politics.