Poststructuralism, Difference, and Marxism

In: Praxis international: a philosophical journal, Band 12, Heft 4, S. 323-340

Abstract

Poststructuralism is examined in relation to the declining significance of Marxism as a political ideology, arguing that poststructuralism's commitment to a philosophy of difference is misguided. Poststructuralism's potential to fill the ideology void left by Marxism is assessed, & its politics of uncentered difference is contrasted with the Marxist emphasis on solidarity & praxis. It is concluded that poststructuralism's dependence on a philosophy of difference, along with an incapacity to adequately theorize the process by which unity might be achieved through difference, makes it unlikely that poststructuralism will replace Marxism as the paramount emancipatory discourse.