Description
Book SynopsisIn a well-known text called The Communist Hypothesis', first published in 2007, the renowned philosopher Alain Badiou breathed fresh life into the idea of communism as an intellectual representation that provides a critical perspective on existing politics and offers a systemic alternative to capitalism.
Now, in the course of this wide-ranging conversation with Peter Engelmann, Alain Badiou explains why he continues to value the idea of communism against the background of current social crises and despite negative historical experiences. From the anticipation of a communism without a state to the problem of the concept of democracy and an analysis of capitalism as a system, the two thinkers discuss the key political issues of our time. Whilst explaining his political philosophy, Badiou also reflects on current socio-political developments such as the turmoil in the Middle East and the situation in China.
This compelling dialogue is both a highly topical contribution to
Trade Review
"We here eavesdrop gratefully on an extraordinary, wide-ranging conversation between two men steeped in the European cultural and philosophical tradition - one a continuing believer in a communist ideal and the other a one-time prisoner of the Stasi."
Colin Crouch, Vice-president for Social Sciences, British Academy
"Philosophy and the Idea of Communism sees Badiou give a lively indeed frequently surprising presentation of his views. Most notably, it has the virtue of opening up a number of novel lines of inquiry into Badiou�s relationship to Marx and Marxism."
Marx and Philosophy
