How to Think Affect in Politics?: Approaching the Theory of Hegemony of Ernesto Laclau

In: Revista de ciencia política, Band 34, Heft 2, S. 399-415

Abstract

In this article we discuss the affective dimension in Ladau's theory of hegemony. We offer a reconstruction of Ladau's theory and focus on the incorporation of the affective dimension as an inherent component of every process of hegemony construction. We argue that this affective component cannot be strictly reduced to linguistic operations. By considering the relation between hegemony and affective economy we can revalue the theoretical contribution of Laclau, identifying the heuristic tools he offered for socio-political analysis. Adapted from the source document.