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June 2004 |
THE POSTMODERN PRINCECritical Theory, Left Strategy, and the
Making by John Sanbonmatsu “In a well-argued, often insightful book, Sanbonmatsu traces the rise of postmodern theory to the ‘expressivist’ politics of the New Left; he shows that the postmodern attempt to promote differences and question notions of universality has undercut the possibility of a unified radical movement. Going back to the work of Antonio Gramsci, the author argues for the need to develop a theory of a ‘postmodern prince,’ one that assumes unity and difference by squarely lodging its analysis in the experiential realm where solidarity can arise. In the process of such an argument, Sanbonmatsu admirably explicates the problems associated with postmodern theory, particularly the work of Michel Foucault, and clearly lays out the relevant arguments associated with Gramsci’s theory … Highly recommended.”— B.J. MacDONALD, CHOICE, Current Reviews for Academic Libraries “A wide-ranging and well-researched book. As a welcome change, it also happens to be a deeply-felt work.”—Emanuele Saccarelli, NEW POLITICAL SCIENCE “Possesses an admirable urgency, unity of purpose, and clarity, as an intervention around strategy and as a critique of postmodern theory.”—THESIS ELEVEN “Combines a devastatingly precise critique of postmodernism with a visionary and realistic account of the necessity for ethical and political unity among progressive movements. This brilliant and provocative book is in the best tradition of Marx, Gramsci, and Marcuse—and should be read by anyone who still believes that the task of left theory is to help create a better world.”— ROGER S. GOTTLIEB, author of Marxism 1844-1990 “Fascinating and provocative from beginning to end, this book weaves together a compelling study of how the language of politics has evolved through its various complex and difficult encounters with such traditions as Gramscian Marxism, existentialism, postmodernism, feminism, radical ecology, and religion.” — CARL BOGGS, national University, Los Angeles, author of Imperial Delusions: American Militarism and Endless War “This is a stunning survey and critique of left practice
and theory … Sanbonmatsu argues that the Left has undermined itself in
pursuit of difference and expressiveness at the expense of unity and strategic
action, and that postmodernist theory has deepened these problems by
associating its campaign against coherence with the Left. He calls for a new
radical ethos based on empathy for all living creatures. This book should be
taken seriously by anyone who wants a revitalized Left.”
— BARBARA EPSTEIN, University of California, Santa
Cruz John Sanbonmatsu's Postmodern Prince is an work of political theory with a focus on questions of strategy. At the same time it provides an original and illuminating intellectual history of the Left from the 1960s to the present. It examines the politics of the New Left in the 1960s, showing how its expressivism led to political division and also prepared the ground for postmodernism. It shows also how the political economy of academic life in an increasingly commodified society strengthened the basis of postmodernism. The Postmodern Prince provides a historically-grounded critique of postmodernism, and a history of how the socialist Left has helped to create its ideas. In the course of this two-sided critique, it develops a brilliant account of a Marxism that sets itself the task of building a collective political subject—a successor to Machiavelli's Prince and Gramsci's Modern Prince—capable of challenging capitalism in its moment of global crisis. Sanbonmatsu demonstrates the limitations of the work of Michel Foucault, and more recently, Hardt and Negri's much-acclaimed Empire. In the process he validates for Marxism the classical idea of politics as hegemonic in scope, revolutionary in aspiration, and dependent on the capacity of leadership to rise to unforeseen challenges. He draws on an extraordinary range of historical, political and philosophical analyses to set out the preconditions for a renewal of strategic and theoretical vision for the Left. Introduction
Chapter Two: SPEAKING IN TONGUES
Chapter Three: BAROQUE THEORY
Chapter Four: THE FRENCH IDEOLOGY
Chapter Five: THE PRINCE AND THE ARCHAEOLOGIST
Chapter Six: THE POSTMODERN PRINCE
Chapter Seven: METAHUMANISM
EPILOGUE About the
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