New Intimacies, Old Desires – Law, Culture and Queer Politics in Neoliberal Times

This edited volume explores the intersection of queer rights and neoliberalism, examining how contemporary advancements may perpetuate colonial desires, while critically addressing issues of race, religion, and class in global queer politics.

New Intimacies, Old Desires – Law, Culture and Queer Politics in Neoliberal Times, edited by Oishik Sircar and Dipika Jain, explores the complex relationship between queer rights advancements and the broader socio-political landscape of neoliberalism. Over the past fifteen years, significant progress has been made in securing rights for queer individuals. However, this period has also witnessed the emergence of crony capitalism, the repercussions of the war on terror, and the increasing legal formalization of political discourse. The book raises critical questions about how to interpret the global celebration of queer rights amidst these challenging dynamics.

The contributors to this volume delve into the intersections of law, state policy, and activism, revealing how contemporary queer identities and relationships are often framed within a neoliberal narrative that emphasizes modernity and the emergence of the liberated sexual citizen. Yet, this narrative can inadvertently perpetuate colonial desires, echoing historical efforts to civilize marginalized communities. By examining these themes, the book offers a nuanced critique of how queer movements engage with modernity while grappling with the legacies of colonialism and oppression.

Particularly attentive to issues of race, religion, and class, New Intimacies, Old Desires provides a self-reflexive analysis of global queer politics. The editors and contributors aim to challenge prevailing notions of liberalism, legalism, and militarism, ultimately seeking to queer the ethics of global politics. Through this rigorous examination, the book invites readers to reconsider the implications of queer rights advancements and their entanglements with broader socio-political forces.