The Postmodern Prince: Critical Theory, Left Strategy, and the Making of a New Political Subject
by John Sanbonmatsu $29.00 ORDER HERE
"Possesses an admirable urgency, unity of purpose, and clarity, as an intervention around strategy and as a critique of postmodern theory."
--Thesis Eleven
The Postmodern Prince is a work of political theory with a focus on questions of left strategy. The book provides an original intellectual history of the Left from the 1960s to the present, showing how the "expressivism" of the New Left prepared the ground for postmodernism and its commodification of social theory. The author then calls for the building of 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 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.
"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
"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
by John Sanbonmatsu $29.00 ORDER HERE
"Possesses an admirable urgency, unity of purpose, and clarity, as an intervention around strategy and as a critique of postmodern theory."
--Thesis Eleven
The Postmodern Prince is a work of political theory with a focus on questions of left strategy. The book provides an original intellectual history of the Left from the 1960s to the present, showing how the "expressivism" of the New Left prepared the ground for postmodernism and its commodification of social theory. The author then calls for the building of 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 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.
"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
"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