The third meeting of the Democracy Club, Professor Chantal Mouffe will talk about her forthcoming book, "On the Political".

"Since September 11th, we frequently hear that political differences should be put aside: the real struggle is between good and evil. What does this mean for political and social life? Is there a 'Third Way' beyond left and right, and if so, should we fear or welcome it?

...Arguing that liberal 'third way thinking' ignores fundamental, conflicting aspects of human nature, Mouffe states that, far from expanding democracy, globalization is undermining the combative and radical heart of democratic life.

Going back first to Aristotle, she identifies the historical origins of the political and reflects on the Enlightenment, and the social contract, arguing that in spite of its good intentions, it levelled the radical core of political life.

Contemporary examples, including the Iraq war, racism and the rise of the far right, are used to illustrate and support her theory that far from combating extremism, the quest for consensus politics undermines the ability to challenge it."

Details:-
Tuesday, 6pm, April 12th, 2005
                                             
Venue: Çarmikli Room,
Centre for the Study of Democracy,
Westminster University,
3rd Floor,
100 Park Village East, 
London NW1 3SR.

Nearest Tube:- 
Mornington Crescent.