Deconstruction and Democracy

(Hardback)

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No democracy without deconstruction': Deconstruction and Democracy evaluates and substantiates Derrida's provocative claim, assessing the importance of this influential and controversial contemporary philosopher's work for political thought. Derrida addressed political questions more and more explicitly in his writing, yet there is still confusion over the politics of deconstruction. Alex Thomson argues for a fresh understanding of Derrida's work, which acknowledges both the political dimension of deconstruction and its potential contribution to our thinking about politics. The book provides cogent analysis and exegesis of Derrida's political writings; explores the implications for political theory and practice of Derrida's work; and brings Derrida's work into dialogue with other major strands of contemporary political thought. Deconstruction and Democracy is the clearest and most detailed engagement available with the politics of deconstruction, and is a major contribution to scholarship on the later works of Jacques Derrida, most notably his Politics of Friendship.

Reviews

"The greatest achievement of Thomson's book lies in its structure...Alex Thomson shows here a great capacity of overcoming his intellectual doubts toward the Derridean project thanks to his unconstrained belief in its intrinsic value and unspoken intentions. Alex Cistelecan, Metapsychology, Vol. 12 No. 27, July 1st, 2008 -- Alex Cistelecan
"Thomson offers a detailed engagement with Derrida's work and the arguments of Derrida's critics. As a primer on the voluminous and often obscure body of work developed by a philosopher whose works have been widely influential, reaching from philosophy to literary criticism, cultural studies, sociology, and beyond, Deconstruction and Democracy offers a useful and accessible interdisciplinary resource." -Jeff Shantz, Philosophy in Review
'Thomson's book is a welcome event. I would recommend it to those seeking an introduction to Derrida on politics as well as to the adept who stand to benefit from its many interpretations and its cross-fertilizing illuminations.' -- Matthias Fritsch * Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews *

Author Bio

Alex Thomson is a lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Edinburgh.