Contemporary Political Movements and the Thought of Jacques Rancière: Equality in Action Paperback - 2010

This is a timely, accessible and inspiring study of democracy in action. As a critic and as an activist Todd May has always insisted on the unity of theory and practice, but with this pathbreaking new book he has taken a crucial and unprecedented step both in the interpretation of Rancire's philosophy and in the analysis of contemporary egalitarian projects. Peter Hallward, Professor of Modern European Philosophy, Middlesex University In this book, Todd May shows how democratic progressive politics can happen and how it is happening in very different arenas. He takes an intensive look at a range of contemporary political movements and shows how, to one degree or another, they exemplify the political thought of Jacques Rancire. Following an essential overview of Rancire's thought he considers the following groups: the Algerian refugee movement in Montreal for citizenship, the first Palestinian intifada, the politics of equality and identity politics in relation to the Zapatista movement, a local food co-op in South Carolina and an anarchist press in Oakland. This book shows how political theory and practice can enlighten one another. In an age of cynicism, fear and despair Todd May suggests there is hope for the possibility of progressive democratic action. It will appeal to Rancire students, scholars and political activists alike. Todd May is Class of 1941 Professor of the Humanities at Clemson University. His most recent publication is The Political Thought of Jacques Rancire: Creating Equality (2008).