Slavoj Zizek is probably the most important figure in contemporary theory since Michel Foucault. Politically urgent as well as intellectually engaging, Zizek's writing has had an enormous impact on contemporary philosophy, social theory, cultural studies and communications departments. Zizek's thought is driven by the need to find an alternative to the problems of globalisation and the supposed end of ideology in the advanced democracies. His insights into popular culture and political life internationally have made him a 'must read' for anybody serious about understanding the condition the world is in today. Yet his works have often seemed an intellectual roller-coaster, to be enjoyed and admired, but not emulated or critically engaged.In Zizek and Politics, Matthew Sharpe and Geoff Boucher go beyond standard introductions to spell out a new approach to reading Zizek, one that can be highly critical as well as deeply appreciative. They show that Zizek has a raft of fundamental positions that enable his theoretical positions to be put to work on practical problems. Explaining these positions with clear examples, they outline why Zizek's confrontation with thinkers such as Derrida, Foucault and Deleuze has so radically changed how we think about society. They then go no to track Zizek's own intellectual development during the last twenty years, as he has grappled with theoretical problems and the political climate of the war on Terror. This book is a major addition to the literature on Zizek and a crucial critical introduction to his thought.
Slavoj Zizek is probably the most important figure in contemporary theory since Michel Foucault. Politically urgent as well as intellectually engaging, Zizek's writing has had an enormous impact on contemporary philosophy, social theory, cultural studies and communications departments. Zizek's thought is driven by the need to find an alternative to the problems of globalisation and the supposed end of ideology in the advanced democracies. His insights into popular culture and political life internationally have made him a 'must read' for anybody serious about understanding the condition the world is in today. Yet his works have often seemed an intellectual roller-coaster, to be enjoyed and admired, but not emulated or critically engaged.In Zizek and Politics, Matthew Sharpe and Geoff Boucher go beyond standard introductions to spell out a new approach to reading Zizek, one that can be highly critical as well as deeply appreciative. They show that Zizek has a raft of fundamental positions that enable his theoretical positions to be put to work on practical problems. Explaining these positions with clear examples, they outline why Zizek's confrontation with thinkers such as Derrida, Foucault and Deleuze has so radically changed how we think about society. They then go no to track Zizek's own intellectual development during the last twenty years, as he has grappled with theoretical problems and the political climate of the war on Terror. This book is a major addition to the literature on Zizek and a crucial critical introduction to his thought.
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