Nomadic Theory: The Portable Rosi Braidotti (Gender and Culture) (Gender and Culture (Hardcover)) by Rosi Braidotti

by Rosi Braidotti

Rosi Braidotti's nomadic theory outlines a sustainable modern subjectivity as one in flux, never opposed to a dominant hierarchy yet intrinsically other, always in the process of becoming, and perpetually engaged in dynamic power relations both creative and restrictive. Nomadic theory offers an original and powerful alternative for scholars working in cultural and social criticism and has, over the past decade, crept into continental philosophy, queer theory, and feminist, postcolonial, techno-science, media, and race studies, as well as into architecture, history, and anthropology. This collection provides a core introduction to Braidotti's nomadic theory and its innovative formulations, which playfully engage with Deleuze, Foucault, Irigaray, and a host of political and cultural issues.Arranged thematically, essays begin with such concepts as sexual difference and embodied subjectivity and follow with explorations in technoscience, feminism, postsecular citizenship, and the politics of affirmation. Braidotti develops a distinctly positive critical theory that rejuvenates the experience of political scholarship. Inspired yet not confined by Deleuzian vitalism, with its commitment to the ontology of flows, networks, and dynamic transformations, she emphasizes affects, imagination, and creativity and the politics of radical immanence. Incorporating ideas from Nietzsche and Spinoza as well, Braidotti establishes a critical-theoretical framework equal parts critique and creation. Ever mindful of the perils of defining difference in terms of denigration and the related tendency to subordinate sexualized, racialized, and naturalized others, she explores the eco-philosophical implications of nomadic theory, feminism, and the irreducibility of sexual difference and sexuality. Her dialogue with technoscience is crucial to nomadic theory, which deterritorializes the established understanding of what counts as human, along with our relationship to animals, the environment, and changing notions of materialism. Keeping her distance from the near-obsessive focus on vulnerability, trauma, and melancholia in contemporary political thought, Braidotti promotes a politics of affirmation that has the potential to become its own generative life force.

Genres: Philosophy, Feminism, Theory, Essays

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Zeina]

Deleuze and Guattari describe the nomad as a person who is constantly between points of arrival, characterized by continuous movement and change.

In this book, Rosi Braidotti takes this figuration further by reworking it into feminist theory. Building on the premise that nomadism entails a total dissolution of the notion of a centre and consequently of imaginary sites of authentic identities, she delineates the many ways in which nomadic subjectivity lends itself to feminist theory and draws pathways away from stasis through a subjectivity that is heterogeneous, transgressive, deterritorialized, performative and affirmative. Braidotti sees in the nomadic state the potential for ‘opening up new possibility for life and thought, especially for women. A fascinating read.

[Deena Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Deleuzian treatise on ontology and its relevance for our current political climate. One thing I must fault her for is her argument against Butler's philosophy as residing in melancholia, loss, and lack. It takes place throughout her project as being altogether too negative, thus giving her a space for her politics of affirmation. I don't define Butler under her premises, and as such, Braidotti's project lends itself to being a bit one-sided.

[Hal Lowen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Right off the bat this book is written with the assumption readers will have a background in academic reading and theory - the language and structure is intimidating even for me who enjoys this kind of challenge. It took me a few passes of parts even in the introduction to fully get a hold of what Braidotti was writing. I picked it up on a whim and probably should've looked into the book beforehand - it’s 100% a book that needs you to be in the mood to read it. There are frequent references to philosophers and their theories and writings so be prepared to be taking notes to look up later. All of this is pretty much unsaid in the introduction though - the author reassures that it’s readable by itself. It’s not. The most understandable parts of the chapters are the conclusions, and I would’ve gladly read a book composed entirely of those points.

The repeated use of schizoid and schizophrenic to describe aspects of society and views on subjects in the book is a touch confusing. Obviously these are both mental illnesses/a part of neurodiversity (depending on the definitions of both) so using that phrasing to describe society and it’s attitudes is a little jarring to say the least. If anyone has insight into why Braidotti chose this particular language - please let me know. It seems to be used to invoke specific ‘scary’ imagery and the othering of self.

Despite the intimidating text and it’s difficulty to follow, there are threads that can be easily picked out and followed without the surrounding knowledge that I think would be required to fully read and digest this book. The discussion of labour is nuanced and insightful with very good critique - as are the sections on pornography. It includes the notion that women are treated as machines, which is a very good way to express the division of labour. However, the allusions to transgender people and “transgender openness” are considered bad and it swings rapidly between bioessentialism and...something else, which is is undefined as a lot of the terms used within the book & seem specific to the text (none of which are defined).

It does have very good & relevant critiques of what's now equatable with girlboss feminism - tackling Margret Thatcher & specifically white girlboss feminism and the racism present in “girlboss-washing” right-wing women through history.

Overall I really didn’t enjoy this - I usually love academic-heavy texts but I found this unreadable, rambling, often doubling back on itself and referencing previous chapters (which doesn’t work well unless copious notes are taken). It feels like a string of vaguely-related essays and texts edited together overnight, which is disappointing. So...good points, hidden in very inaccessible texts.

[Jason Keune · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read this three times. I love it

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably a super-good secondary for understanding deleuze as a feminist, or an ok secondary for understanding deleuze as political, but for me it was just deleuze oatmeal -- sweet and bland

[Tam Sothonprapakonn]

Formative reading for me. Potentially life-changing work of theory. The last piece in the collection, "A Secular Prayer," is probably the only essay that has made me tear up from its sheer beauty and erudition.

No rating because I can't possibly do this one justice.