Political Theory After Deleuze (Deleuze Encounters)

“Looking for the introduction to Deleuze and political theory? You’ve found it. Nathan Widder gives the most clear and persuasive account of why Deleuze’s philosophy matters for contemporary political thought. He situates this significance through an outstanding account of the place of Deleuze among historical and contemporary theories and figures, notably Hegel, Nietzsche and Lacan. The book also explains how Deleuze announces a new departure for political action and critique. In addition to a wonderful array of concrete examples, the book supports its arguments through an exemplary reading of Deleuze’s works. A joy to read, and a joy to apply…” –Professor James Williams, University of Dundee, UK

“Nathan Widder provides a remarkably accessible introduction to Deleuze’s ontology and its implications for political thought. He explains Deleuze’s distinctive contribution to contemporary political theory, namely that ‘we are micropolitical before we are political, ‘ by way of an informative tour through some of his most difficult texts, including Difference and Repetition, Nietzsche and Philosophy and Anti-Oedipus (co-written with Guattari). This book is an indispensable handbook to Deleuze’s key concepts that will be of interest to beginners as well as advanced students of Deleuze’s thought.” –Paul Patton, Professor of Philosophy, University of New South Wales, Australia

“I have been perhaps a little too scant in my acknowledgement of the achievement of Widder’s book. I don’t mean to suggest that this is only a student handbook (though it can be profitably so used); besides specific passages — particularly its treatment of Hegel, Lacan, and Foucault — from which specialists can benefit, the drive to construct a narrative that is both readable and appropriately detailed is praiseworthy and certainly enough to hold the specialist’s attention throughout.” –John Protevi, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews