Universal Emancipation

In Universal Emancipation, Elisabeth Paquette critiques Alain Badiou's philosophical neglect of race, offering a more inclusive framework for emancipation that emphasizes solidarity and identity.

A vital and timely contribution to the growing scholarship on the political thought of Alain Badiou, Universal Emancipation explores the implications of neglecting race within Badiou's philosophical framework. The author, Elisabeth Paquette, critically examines whether this oversight is merely incidental or indicative of a deeper flaw in Badiou's approach to (in)difference in political life. With the rise of white nationalist movements, the tensions between universal principles and the recognition of identity are increasingly significant, making this analysis particularly relevant.

Paquette's powerful critique reveals that Badiou's theory of emancipation inadequately addresses racial and racialized subjects, limiting its applicability in discussions of freedom and justice. Central to her argument is Badiou's distinction between culture and politics, which suggests that freedom pertains solely to the political realm. This distinction becomes apparent through her exploration of two key examples: the Négritude movement and the Haitian Revolution. Paquette argues that Badiou's dismissal of Négritude as a political movement, due to its focus on racial identity, reflects a problematic stance that has been critiqued by leading critical race theorists.

Furthermore, Paquette extends her analysis beyond Badiou by incorporating the innovative work of Sylvia Wynter, proposing an alternative framework for emancipation. In contrast to Badiou’s notion of universality as indifference to difference, Wynter’s pluri-conceptual theory emphasizes solidarity and the importance of particular identities. Through this lens, Paquette develops a more inclusive understanding of emancipation that recognizes the significance of race without compromising the universality of freedom and justice.