The Left Hemisphere: Mapping Critical Theory

by Razmig Keucheyan, Gregory Elliott (Translation)

As the crisis of capitalism unfolds, the need for alternatives is felt ever more intensely. The struggle between radical movements and the forces of reaction will be merciless. A crucial battlefield, where the outcome of the crisis will in part be decided, is that of theory. Over the last twenty-five years, radical intellectuals across the world have produced important and innovative ideas.

The endeavour to transform the world without falling into the catastrophic traps of the past has been a common element uniting these new approaches. This book – aimed at both the general reader and the specialist – offers the first global cartography of the expanding intellectual field of critical contemporary thought. More than thirty authors and intellectual currents of every continent are presented in a clear and succinct manner. A history of critical thought in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries is also provided, helping situate current thinkers in a broader historical and sociological perspective.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, Theory, Economics, History, Sociology

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sociologist and activist of the Swiss radical left, professor at the Émile Durkheim center of the University of Bordeaux.

Reviews

[Declan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A superbly written (and translated) account of contemporary theory, written in an approachable, insightful and thoroughly erudite fashion. But - and this is not the author's fault - it becomes increasingly exasperating to read as the theories which propose a transformation of society become the domain of the tenured left, in dialogue with each other, floating free of the possibility of ever connecting to the reality of our all-too-real political and economic environment (not to mention the environment as environment). Only by returning to a convincing version of a possible alternative will the left - which should, given the condition of the world, be in the ascendent - become, once again, popular in a truly democratic way.

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspirational book and a call to action. I'm feeling so motivated, angry and focused after reading this book, I could be dangerous ...

This book commits to theory. It commits to the configuration and imagining of a world view that is transformative, not weighed down by pseudo-representative empirical / empiricist methods that discover what we already know.

It also offers categories and pathways of and to meaning to explore what has happened to the history of ideas since the fall of the Berlin Wall.

There is commitment to the intellectual life here. There is a commitment to the intellectual in universities. This commitment matters.

Finally, Keucheyan offers the key - crystal - argument for all of us who work to think and think to work: “what is required is the emergence of a globalization of critical thinking uncoupled from its Americanization." If we can action this project, then there is a pathway out of Trump's America.

[Karlo Mikhail · Rating 3 out of 5]

For all the tokenistic attempts to sprinkle in western academics with origins in the global south, this "mapping" is predictably Eurocentric in its purview. The book simply misses crucial anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist intellectual currents that emerged alongside the surge of national liberation movements in Asia, Africa, and Latin America or those in the global north that were spurred by this. Great related literature on Western left-ish theory but nothing more. I cannot imagine a Left Hemisphere that does not include Paulo Freire, Frantz Fanon, Samir Amin, Walter Rodney, the Marxist-Leninist-Maoist current, or even dependency theorists like Andre Gunder Frank.

[két con · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful thorough research. Though among fields of philosophy I'm least interested in politics, still intrigued to read til the last page. A must-read, almost like textbook for contemporary philosophy.

[Simon Lavoie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ce livre-synthèse dresse une comparaison entre les théories révolutionnaires regroupées sous la bannière marxiste à la fin du XIXe -début XXe siècle, et les théories critiques en recrudescence depuis le milieu des années 1990. Parmi leurs principales lignes de distinction, nous trouvons l'origine des auteurs et protagonistes (déplacement progressif hors de l'Europe occidentale vers l'Asie et l'Amérique Latine), la localisation académique (condensation massive dans les universités américaines), la distance avec tout mouvement de résistance concret (jadis le mouvement ouvrier), et l'absence concomitante de pensée stratégique dans les travaux récents (la séparation entre Théorie et Pratique, consécutive aux prises de pouvoir, aux consolidations des partis et aux durcissements doctrinaux perdure ainsi sous des traits, et pour des prétextes, différents).

Après une première partie (Contextes) consacrée principalement à un effort de périodisation des débuts du projet (de ce « quelque chose ») dont la chute du mur de Berlin a annoncé la fin, plus de 27 auteurs sont présentés avec détail (Théories). Leur posture oscille, selon la typologie de Keucheyan, de Pessimiste à Résistant, d'Innovateur et Experts à Dirigeant (le cas, notamment, de Alvaro Garcia Linera). Les anciens partisans de la pensée critique réconciliés avec le libéralisme économique (les Convertis) et les défenseurs du réformisme ayant fait le trajet inverse pour épouser tardivement une orientation révolutionnaire (les Radicalisés) ne sont pas représentés; les premiers faute de pertinence, les seconds, faute du nombre.

Du point de vue des nouvelles constructions du système et des sujets que l'on découvre dans ce panorama, l'exploitation économique, le rapport Force de travail / Capital ou autre proche équivalent cède fréquemment la place à d'autres points d'articulation jugés plus pertinents ou injustement négligés : ethnicité, orientation sexuelle, rapports sociaux de sexe, identité et reconnaissance, écologie, science et technique (ou techno-science). Semblablement, la focalisation sur l'État national comme dépositaire de la coercition tend à être remplacée, soit par une référence diffusionniste à la Foucault - les régimes de vérité ou de pouvoir-savoir - soit par une référence globalisante et supranationale, tel l'empire au sens de Negri et Hardt.

La tendance nette des nouvelles pensées critiques est au syncrétisme et à la réhabilitation de travaux anciennement marginalisés – tendance présentée comme symptomatique d'une pensée sublimant le poids des échecs historiques successifs des révolutions socialistes, comme si l'inclusion des anciens exclus de ce mouvement était gage de son rachat. À côté de cette tendance persiste un marxisme affiché et revendiqué (chez Robert Brenner, Giovanni Arrighi, E.P. Thompson, Frederic Jameson, David Harvey par exemple), ou transformé (à la sauce individualiste méthodologique chez Eric Olin Wright, et pour un temps, chez Jon Elster).

La principale qualité de cet ouvrage tient en son étendue, qui ne se traduit pas en superficialité. Il y a en effet peu de reproche à adresser aux présentations, en particulier celles d'auteurs qui ont bénéficié d'un grand rayonnement (tel Negri, Agamben, ou les innovants Zizek, et Haraway). L'exercice de Keucheyan apporte une contribution à l'éclaircissement du statut problématique du socialisme comme critique et rejet du capitalisme. L'enjeu de sa renaissance relève d'un acte de foi. Le panorama historique des premières théories révolutionnaires présenté en première partie d'ouvrage mérite particulièrement le détour, étant donné la clarté que lui confère le recul, le passage du temps. L'actualité a apporté, depuis la parution de l'ouvrage, son lot d'occasions de doter les pensées critiques d'un ancrage au sein de mouvements de résistance concrets, fussent-ils temporaires.

[Carl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Structuralist, postmodern gibberish. Far too high-falutin for the likes of me. Names all the names: Lacan, Derrida, Foucault, Sartre, et al. I turned pages & read words for a while but decided that I was deriving nothing from the process & decided to play with myself instead of persevering.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Contemporary critical intellectuals are situated in the 'ivory tower'. And this involves their submission to the rules and resources that govern this social field."

[Rafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must.

[Martin Hare Michno · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get through but it was worth it. The author offers insightful and critical introductions to modern leftist thinkers, most of whom I'd never heard of before. It does a good job of introducing a wide range of critical theory to the reader, from theories of imperialism and cognitive capitalism to post-femininities and class consciousness. But the reader has to move on from there. This book just offers a solid nudge in the right direction.

[Ivana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough and inspiring - puts a lot of books on your to read list and clarifies many concepts (emptily) floating around intellectual arenas. All the humans of late capitalism may enjoy it.

[Akseli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and well written tour throught the pantheon of critical thinking. It provides you a wide weaponry to demolish and deconstruct the capitalist reality.

[Gabriel Civita Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

will add thoughts soon!

[Maxy.kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth a read- seriously impressive in scope- it covers over 30 authors/theorists giving an interesting and very readable summary of the importance of each.
It has it's idiosyncrasies, the important thinkers selected are those important from a european perspective, but for what it sets out to achieve it does it with aplomb.

Will definitely be using this book as a reference in the future.

[Julien V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Présentation un peu schématique des auteurs, mais on ne peut pas faire beaucoup mieux en 320 petites pages! Recommandé pour mettre à jour ses connaissances sur les divers courants gauchistes actuels.

[Anatole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cogent review of contemporary theory. Easy to follow the complex ideas of the philosophers discussed.

[Steffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prospective boyfriends, attention: must read this book.
This is a critical theory nerd's paradise: systematic review of all major critical theory debates and schools since 1917.

[Domhnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book introduces the writing of some thirty critical theorists of the period between about 1989 and 2010. Placing these in the context of a genealogy back to Marx and Engels, but also describing how they relate to – often debate with - each other, Keucheyan successfully captures their ideas in brief, readable summaries, offers some critical evaluations and directs readers to their critical works. For anyone who has suffered the shock of plunging into the writings of any one of these theorists, only to be drowned in word salad or confused by their sheer complexity, this guide is a tremendous relief, because it not only brings their pretensions down to earth but also gives permission to be sceptical of their claims, impatient with their digressions and selective as to which theories merit further attention. The writing is not aggressive; it presents each writer in a positive light. Nevertheless, it makes clear that choices must be made and only some of these writers can be accepted as guides for the future. Hopefully, the overall effect is not discouraging, but rather helps the reader to make informed judgements. I was certainly pleased that some of my own favourite writers emerged in a favourable light and that I have a better understanding of what it is that I dislike in some others.

Some quotes

“A critical theory is a theory, not merely an analysis or interpretation. It not only reflects on what is, by describing past or present social reality in the manner of empirical social science. It also raises the issue of what is desirable... Critical theories are theories that more or less challenge the existing social order.” [p2]

“New ideas arise where new problems are posed.” [p3]

“...’Classical’ Marxism – initiated on Marx’s death by Engels and notably comprising Kautsky, Lenin, Trotsky, Luxembourg and Otto Bauer – emerged against the background of profound political and economic turbulence, which led to the First World War and the Russian Revolution. Conversely, so called Western Marxism, of which Lukacs, Korsch and Gramsci were the initiators, and to which Adorno, Sartre, Althusser, Marcuse and Della Volpe in particular belong, developed in a period of relative stability for capitalism... If the collapse of the Soviet bloc created the illusion of a peaceful and prosperous ‘new world order’, the hope (for those to whom it was such) was short lived. Our epoch is characterised, among other things, by un unprecedented economic crisis, mass unemployment, and general insecurity, by a global war against ‘terrorism’, by growing inequalities between North and South, and by an imminent ecological crisis.... At the start of the Twentieth century, Marxists could count on powerful working class organisations, of which they were often leaders.. Nothing similar exists at present or, probably, for the immediate future. How in the light of this are we to continue thinking radical social transformation? Such is the challenge facing contemporary critical theories. [pp3-4]

For a start, in order to think and act strategically, one must first of all equip oneself with a description, however approximate, of the world I which one is intervening. The world is developing so rapidly today, and its general coordinates are so difficult to fix, that we are still far from possessing a faithful representation of reality that makes it possible to prepare the ground for a coherent strategy of social transformation. Secondly, a strategy is always developed in interaction with social and political movements. As we have seen, a structural characteristic of today’s critical thinkers is the tenuousness of their relations with the latter...it is imperative that this gulf between thinkers and movements be bridged. [p252]

The attractiveness of the United States (not merely financial but also for the promotion and international circulation of oeuvres) is such that, whatever the provenance of thinkers – Latin America, India, China, Africa and so forth – it is difficult for them to resist it. Yet is is lkely that the Americanization of critical thinking contains the seeds of its political neutralization. The United States is certainly not the political desert it is sometimes depicted as in Europe. Powerful social movements exist there... Rather, the problem lies in the situation of universities and their occupants, which tend on account of their elitist character to be socially and spatially cut off from the rest of society. [p255]

[Iñigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una revisión de las principales teorías críticas que vienen apareciendo en el ámbito de la izquierda durante los últimos 30 años.

Si bien la revisión de muchas de ellas viene a ser superficial por motivos obvios (es mucho campo para abarcar en 350 páginas), ayuda para hacerse una composición de lugar de por dónde viene evolucionando la teoría, y cómo el marxismo ha perdido preponderancia frente a enfoques más eclécticos.

Me ha parecido especialmente buena la primera parte (contextos), donde se analizan un poco las causas estructurales de la deriva teórica y sus principales desencadenantes. Especialmente lúcidas son las reflexiones sobre como las dinámicas de funcionamiento de las instituciones académicas (especialmente norteamericanas) y el desacople de la teoría de los movimientos obreros han generado gran parte de las teorías críticas.

Recomendaría el libro a cualquier persona que quiera una introducción general al panorama teórico actual de la izquierda y los principales debates que se dan en ella, aunque tampoco lo tengo claro, ya que dado lo rápido que avanzan las exposiciones, creo que es muy recomendable al menos tener una cierta base sobre los temas que se discuten (y sobre marxismo en particular).

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the Swiss sociologist and Gramsci-expert Razmig Keucheyan presents a well-written account of contemporary critical thinking. Especially interesting are the first two chapters, titled ‘The Defeat of Critical Thinking (1977-93)’ and ‘A Brief History of the ‘New Left’ (1956-77). Indeed, together they tell the story of the Left’s decline and ascent, trying to formulate an answer to the question: how did it all fall apart?

In those chapters, Keucheyan pays considerable attention to the ‘globalization’ of critical thinking, that is to say, its proliferation in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Sadly, the rest of the book, which is devoted to portraits of individual authors, doesn’t echo this consideration. Admittedly, Wang Hui, Achille Mbembe and a few others are mentioned, but where the hell are, for instance, Enrique Dussel, Léopold Senghor, Frantz Fanon and Aimé Césaire? It is frustrating to see that this – in other respects very complete – early work of doxography fell victim to its author’s eurocentrism, thereby disparaging the names of non-Western philosophers in the canon of critical thinking.

[Colin Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left Hemisphere: Mapping Contemporary Theory Today is a robust survey of critical theory in the 20th and early 21st century. Principally, Razmig Keucheyan traces the developments in Marxist thought, anti-Marxist thought, and emancipatory theory and the way those developments underpin the work of critical theory. The scope of Keucheyan’s survey is quite impressive. In addition to exploring the “defeat” of critical theory, Keucheyan summarizes the work of significant figures who do critical theory in the 20th and 21st century. In this respect, Left Hemisphere: Mapping Contemporary Theory Today is an encyclopedia of critical theory; however, I would recommend future editions identify each theorist by name in the table of contents. The edition I read does not do this, and while I could see myself returning to particular sections before reading a new theorist, the difficulty in finding those theorists would pose a frustrating challenge.

[Amar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book can be valuable for people who are new to the subject, but it has a common problem found in French writers - they sometimes struggle to explain things clearly. The author seems to be targeting beginner or intermediate readers interested in critical theory, but then they use complex language that might confuse beginners.

Take the following example:

"For Postone, the contradiction is located in the sphere of production itself, whence derives the reified structure of capitalist societies, which is over-determined by labour-value."

The author faces a double-bind. On one hand, they aim for a readership of beginners or intermediates, but their use of complex language creates a barrier for comprehension. On the other hand, if the readers already understand the material, the book becomes redundant for them.

Despite occasional unclear parts, it's a good book overall. Just search for the specific authors you are interested in.

[Campbell Rider]

There are many books that give introductory overviews of contemporary thinkers. I particularly like this one because the author emphasises continuities, similarities and differences between the theorists addressed. You get a sense of a contemporary political and philosophical milieu, rather than just atomised overviews of individuals. Keucheyan also has an overall argument to make about the nature of New Left thought in terms of its break with revolutionary politics, orthodox Marxism and so on following May 68. So there's a historical narrative here that's quite valuable. For those interested, the entries on Negri & Hardt, Harvey, Habermas, Zizek, Butler, and Haraway stood out to me as particularly good.

[Peter Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sets out to provide a summary of contemporary thought on the left of the political spectrum. Most of the thinkers covered stand in some sort of relationship to Marx, although by no means all would describe themselves as Marxist. Working through writers and thinkers such as Zizek, Jameson, Badiou Keucheyan works through the main strands of theory from the status of the subject to imperialism.

What it might lack in depth it certainly makes up for in breadth, and if not perhaps comprehensive it is certainly a great basic introduction to many of the strands of modern critical thinking.

[Eduard Lazarus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keucheyan is brilliant on two accounts: one, he puts major contemporary thinkers of the left within the political and intellectual context of their work from previous major schools of thought (structuralism, post-structuralism, second-wave feminism - the list goes on), while at the same time providing the chronology, debates and context of those varied schools as well.

Of course, there is no way does this book serve justice to any of the thinkers written in it. But that's your problem - go forth, read them yourself.

[Hamad Abdulsamad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really serious when it says in the subtitle "mapping critical theory today",and even though im not so sure to what extent it sticked to the promiss of 'today', anyway, the book skitches a map of theories between 2, theories of system, and theories of subject. It succeded in dealing with those in between, and in skitching a map that flourish the reader with ideas of controling these territories, I guess maps has this seductive feature...
I wish all the references where in English, and that more detailed referencing styles were practiced so I can utilise it more and more...

[Robert Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that gives a good account of Critical Theory and its various strains of thought. It places them in their historical context in relation to Classical Marxism and the changes natures of these theories in respect to Class, Sex, Race, and importantly geographical origin. It could be better on the ecological question but the author themselves admits there is a dearth of theory on the environment.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very concise and useful introduction to many of the contemporary critical thinks. One most important thing I learned from this book is the significance of Marxist theories, which have persisted and mutated over time. I have been avoided reading Marx, as I always wonder whether it is necessary to spend time reading those 'outdated' gigantic books. Well, now I know the answer is yes.

[Ese Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clarito y conciso pero sin caer en reducciones absurdas de las teorías que presenta. Es de lectura muy amena y con vocación pedagógica al aclarar cada postulado teórico con el que se enfrenta la o el lector.
En cuanto al contenido, es un recorrido a las teorías críticas como se desprende del título. Las relaciona entre si y con las y los autores previos que las nutren.
Me gustó mucho el libro.

[Lokomotywa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good starting point. As a student I really appreciate it.
It's not comprehensive, but it is pretty dense and covers a lot of ground, serving as a good introduction for someone getting into critical theory on their own.

[spen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This text is a little too intimidating to be a primer on critical theory, slightly out of date, and too brief to be exciting, but it is a success on its own terms. Having finished it, I possess a clear sense of the relationships between many popular critics, and my choices for further reading.