Thought and Action: The Theoretical Bases of Radical Democratic Agonism

Abstract

In order to set the theoretical parameters for the work, this chapter explores the projects of Chantal Mouffe, William Connolly, Bonnie Honig, and Jacques Ranciere in detail, paying close attention to the similarities that provide the overall radical democratic vision with its bases as well as its political aims. Following from this, the chapter also furthers the discussion regarding the central theoretical weakness of the four theorists, namely their inability to account for the circumstances that allow for agonistic relations between political contenders to be maintained.