Politics of Postanarchism

What is the relevance of anarchism for politics and political theory today? While many have in the past dismissed anarchism, the author contends that anarchism's heretical critique of authority, and its insistence on full equality and liberty, places it at the forefront of the radical political imagination today. With the unprecedented expansion of state power in the name of security, the current 'crisis of capitalism', and the terminal decline of Marxist and social democratic projects, it is time to reconsider anarchism as a form of politics. This book seeks to renew anarchist thought through the concept of postanarchism. This innovative theoretical approach, drawing upon classical anarchist theory, poststructuralism, post-Marxism, critical theory and psychoanalytic approaches, allows for a new engagement with contemporary debates about future directions in radical politics relating to political subjectivity and identity, political organisation, the State, globalisation, liberty and equality today, and the political 'event'.

In this book, Saul Newman announces postanarchism as a lively, vital and highly pertinent perspective for our times. With a brilliant grasp of the anarchist tradition, of continental theory and the political challenges of the contemporary world, Newman unpacks the meaning and relevance of postanarchism to readers at all levels of experience. That he manages to do so in a readable and confident style, pays testimony to his own growing reputation as a highly original thinker with a great deal to offer us in terms of showing the link between political theory and political practice. Highly recommended. -- Simon Tormey, Professor and Head of School, Social and Political Sciences, University of Sydney Saul Newman is one of the pioneers in redeeming the promise of anarchist thought with the resources of contemporary continental philosophy. In this work, at once philosophical and political, Newman engages such thinkers as Foucault, Badiou and Ranciere alongside classical and contemporary anarchist thought as well as struggles such as the anti-globalization movement. The Politics of Postanarchism offers a compelling framework for progressive political thought and intervention. -- Todd May, Class of 1941 Memorial Professor of the Humanities, Clemson University In this book, Saul Newman announces postanarchism as a lively, vital and highly pertinent perspective for our times. With a brilliant grasp of the anarchist tradition, of continental theory and the political challenges of the contemporary world, Newman unpacks the meaning and relevance of postanarchism to readers at all levels of experience. That he manages to do so in a readable and confident style, pays testimony to his own growing reputation as a highly original thinker with a great deal to offer us in terms of showing the link between political theory and political practice. Highly recommended. Saul Newman is one of the pioneers in redeeming the promise of anarchist thought with the resources of contemporary continental philosophy. In this work, at once philosophical and political, Newman engages such thinkers as Foucault, Badiou and Ranciere alongside classical and contemporary anarchist thought as well as struggles such as the anti-globalization movement. The Politics of Postanarchism offers a compelling framework for progressive political thought and intervention.

Saul Newman is Reader in Political Theory at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is author of From Bakunin to Lacan (Lexington Books, 2001), Power and Politics in Poststructuralist Thought (Routledge, 2005) and Unstable Universalities: Poststructuralism and Radical Politics (Manchester University Press, 2006).