Contemporary Political Movements and the Thought of Jacques Rancière

This is a timely, accessible and inspiring study of democracy in action. As
a critic and as an activist Todd May has always insisted on the unity of
theory and practice, but with this pathbreaking new book he has taken a
crucial and unprecedented step both in the interpretation of Rancière's
philosophy and in the analysis of contemporary egalitarian projects.
Peter Hallward, Professor of Modern European Philosophy, Middlesex University
In this book, Todd May shows how democratic progressive politics can happen and how it is happening in very different arenas. He takes an intensive look at a range of contemporary political movements and shows how, to one degree or another, they exemplify the political thought of Jacques Rancière.
Following an essential overview of Rancière's thought he considers the following groups: the Algerian refugee movement in Montreal for citizenship, the first Palestinian intifada, the politics of equality and identity politics in relation to the Zapatista movement, a local food co-op in South Carolina and an anarchist press in Oakland.
This book shows how political theory and practice can enlighten one another. In an age of cynicism, fear and despair Todd May suggests there is hope for the possibility of progressive democratic action. It will appeal to Rancière students, scholars and political activists alike.
Todd May is Class of 1941 Professor of the Humanities at Clemson University. His most recent publication is The Political Thought of Jacques Rancière: Creating Equality (2008).

Todd May is Class of 1941 Memorial Professor of the Humanities at Clemson University. Among his most recent publications are Gilles Deleuze: An Introduction (2005) and The Philosophy of Foucault (2006). He has also been active in various political movements of equality, including anti-racism work and the struggle for Palestinian rights.

This is a timely, accessible and inspiring study of democracy in action. As a critic and as an activist Todd May has always insisted on the unity of theory and practice, but with this pathbreaking new book he has taken a crucial and unprecedented step both in the interpretation of Ranciere's philosophy and in the analysis of contemporary egalitarian projects. -- Peter Hallward, Kingston University This is a timely, accessible and inspiring study of democracy in action. As a critic and as an activist Todd May has always insisted on the unity of theory and practice, but with this pathbreaking new book he has taken a crucial and unprecedented step both in the interpretation of Ranciere's philosophy and in the analysis of contemporary egalitarian projects.