Description
Book SynopsisFirst published in Spanish in 2006, Twenty Theses on Politics is a major statement on political philosophy from Enrique Dussel, one of Latin America’s—and the world’s—most important philosophers, and a founder of the philosophy of liberation. Synthesizing a half-century of his pioneering work in moral and political philosophy, Dussel presents a succinct rationale for the development of political alternatives to the exclusionary, exploitative institutions of neoliberal globalization. In twenty short, provocative theses he lays out the foundational elements for a politics of just and sustainable coexistence. Dussel first constructs a theory of political power and its institutionalization, taking on topics such as the purpose of politics and the fetishization of power. He insists that political projects must criticize or reject as unsustainable all political systems, actions, and institutions whose negative effects are suffered by oppressed or excluded
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“Dussel is . . . probably the most important Marxian scholar of our era. . . . Twenty Theses on Politics reveals that, if anything and against the odds, politics as it is now being understood in Latin America has become the art of the possible. It is a short book, but may take a long time reading, mainly because of the depth of knowledge, insight and experience that Dussel has brought to bear in compiling it. In the language of the WSF itself, it represents a manifesto for a plural, diverse, non-governmental and non-partisan politics seeking a more solidary, democratic and fair world. It is perhaps the most important statement for many years of the degree to which de-colonial theory—and Latin America itself—is now providing a real source of intellectual leadership in debates that have floundered in the post-industrial world.” - Gavin O’Toole, Latin American Review of Books
[T]hese 20 succinct theses take on the purpose of politics and the fetishization of power, the liberation praxis of movements, reform and revolution—while engaging with political projects like the World Social Forum, ultimately developing a moral and political foundation contrary to that of neoliberal globalization.” - NACLA
“From his early work in ethics and the philosophy of liberation to his examination of the epochal events of 1492 in the Americas, Dussel has been a leading Latin American voice in the critical study of modernity. With Twenty Theses on Politics, he now embarks on what could well be his magnum opus. . . . [T]his book is relevant for us today because it defends the idea that an alternative to the status quo is indeed possible.” - Diego von Vacano, Perspectives on Politics
“Dussel has convincingly brought a radical and ethically responsible understanding of ‘the political’ back to bear in political theory. This is a philosophy and politics of liberation grounded in a robust acknowledgment and understanding of ethics as first philosophy.” - Michael R. Paradiso-Michau, Radical Philosophy Review
“From the pen of perhaps Latin America’s foremost philosopher of liberation comes this brilliant condensation by Enrique Dussel of his political philosophy. . . . [A] deft, disciplined intervention into English publication for philosophers and religious scholars. With bracing spirit and conceptual rigor, Dussel engage the global North from the struggle of the South. . .” - Mark Lewis Taylor, Journal of Religion
“Twenty Theses on Politics is a groundbreaking manifesto charting new terrain toward de-colonial political philosophy and political theory. It is based on the experience and interpretation of current events in Latin America. There is nothing comparable.”—Walter D. Mignolo, author of The Idea of Latin America
“Enrique Dussel is one of the giants of emancipatory thought and liberation philosophy. This grand text is a concise expression of his subtle analysis and courageous vision!”—Cornel West, Princeton University
“Dussel has convincingly brought a radical and ethically responsible understanding of ‘the political’ back to bear in political theory. This is a philosophy and politics of liberation grounded in a robust acknowledgment and understanding of ethics as first philosophy.” -- Michael R. Paradiso-Michau * Radical Philosophy Review *
“Dussel is . . . probably the most important Marxian scholar of our era. . . . Twenty Theses on Politics reveals that, if anything and against the odds, politics as it is now being understood in Latin America has become the art of the possible. It is a short book, but may take a long time reading, mainly because of the depth of knowledge, insight and experience that Dussel has brought to bear in compiling it. In the language of the WSF itself, it represents a manifesto for a plural, diverse, non-governmental and non-partisan politics seeking a more solidary, democratic and fair world. It is perhaps the most important statement for many years of the degree to which de-colonial theory—and Latin America itself—is now providing a real source of intellectual leadership in debates that have floundered in the post-industrial world.” -- Gavin O’Toole * Latin American Review of Books *
“From his early work in ethics and the philosophy of liberation to his examination of the epochal events of 1492 in the Americas, Dussel has been a leading Latin American voice in the critical study of modernity. With Twenty Theses on Politics, he now embarks on what could well be his magnum opus. . . . [T]his book is relevant for us today because it defends the idea that an alternative to the status quo is indeed possible.” -- Diego von Vacano * Perspectives on Politics *
“From the pen of perhaps Latin America’s foremost philosopher of liberation comes this brilliant condensation by Enrique Dussel of his political philosophy. . . . [A] deft, disciplined intervention into English publication for philosophers and religious scholars. With bracing spirit and conceptual rigor, Dussel engage the global North from the struggle of the South. . .” -- Mark Lewis Taylor * Journal of Religion *
"These 20 succinct theses take on the purpose of politics and the fetishization of power, the liberation praxis of movements, reform and revolution—while engaging with political projects like the World Social Forum, ultimately developing a moral and political foundation contrary to that of neoliberal globalization.” * NACLA Report on the Americas *
Table of Contents
Foreword: The Liberation of Politics: Alterity, Solidarity, Liberation / Eduardo Mendieta vii
Preliminary Words xv
Introduction 1
Thesis 1. Corruption and the Political Field: The Public and the Private 3
Part One: The Prevailing Political Order
Thesis 2. The Political Power of the Community as Potentia 13
Thesis 3. Institutional Power as Potestas 18
Thesis 4. Obediential Power 24
Thesis 5. The Fetishization of Power: Power as Domination 30
Thesis 6. Strategic Political Action 36
Thesis 7. The Need for Political Institutions: The Material Sphere (Ecological, Economic, Cultural): Fraternity 43
Thesis 8. Institutions in the Spheres of Democratic Legitimacy and Feasibility: Equality and Liberty: Governability 50
Thesis 9. Ethics and the Implicit Normative Principles of Politics: The Material Principle 56
Thesis 10. The Formal-Democratic and Feasibility Principles of Politics 62
Part Two: The Critical Transformation of the Political: Toward the New Political Order
Thesis 11. The People: The Popular Sector and "Populism" 71
Thesis 12. Liberatory Power as Hyperpotentia and the "State of Rebellion" 78
Thesis 13. The Political Principles of Liberation: The Critical Material Principle 83
Thesis 14. The Critical-Democratic and Strategic Transformation Principles 88
Thesis 15. Liberation Praxis of Social and Political Movements 94
Thesis 16. Anti-Hegemonic Praxis and the Construction of a New Hegemony 103
Thesis 17. Transformation of Political Institutions: Reform, Transformation, Revolution: Political Postulates 108
Thesis 18. Transformation of Institutions in the Material Sphere: "Perpetual Life" and Solidarity 114
Thesis 19. Transformation of Institutions in the Sphere of Democratic Legitimacy: Irruption of New Rights: "Perpetual Peace" and Alterity 122
Thesis 20. Transformation of Institutions in the Sphere of Feasibility: The "Dissolution of the State"? Liberation 131
Notes 139
Bibliography 151
Index 155
