Deconstructing Zionism: A Critique of Political Metaphysics

Political Theory and Contemporary Philosophy

by Gianni Vattimo (Editor), Michael Marder (Editor), Slavoj Žižek (Contributor)

This volume in the Political Theory and Contemporary Philosophy series provides a political and philosophical critique of Zionism.

While other nationalisms seem to have adapted to twenty-first century realities and shifting notions of state and nation, Zionism has largely remained tethered to a nineteenth century mentality, including the glorification of the state as the only means of expressing the spirit of the people. These essays, contributed by eminent international thinkers including Slavoj Zizek, Luce Irigaray, Judith Butler, Gianni Vattimo, Walter Mignolo, Marc Ellis, and others, deconstruct the political-metaphysical myths that are the framework for the existence of Israel.Collectively, they offer a multifaceted critique of the metaphysical, theological, and onto-political grounds of the Zionist project and the economic, geopolitical, and cultural outcomes of these foundations.

A significant contribution to the debates surrounding the state of Israel today, this groundbreaking work will appeal to anyone interested in political theory, philosophy, Jewish thought, and the Middle East conflict.

Genres: Politics, Philosophy

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 2013

About the author

Gianteresio Vattimo, also known as Gianni Vattimo (born January 4, 1936) is an internationally recognized Italian author, philosopher, and politician. Many of his works have been translated into English.

His philosophy can be characterized as postmodern with his emphasis on "pensiero debole" (weak thought). This requires that the foundational certainties of modernity with its emphasis on objective truth founded in a rational unitary subject be relinquished for a more multi-faceted conception closer to that of the arts.

Reviews

[Mazen · Rating 3 out of 5]

الكتاب عبارة عن مقالات نقدية للصهيونية من داخل حقل أفكار الحضارة الغربية. هناك بعض المقالات التي استفدت منها جدًا، مثل: "معاداة السامية وتحولاتها"، و"الصهيونية في الأفق الاستعماري". ولكن كانت هناك بعض المقالات التي تتناول الديانة اليهودية من وجهة نظر الفيلسوف مارتن هايدجر، وكانت مبهمة أغلبها بالنسبة لي، نظرًا لعدم تمكني من المصطلحات الفلسفية الخاصة بالفيلسوف هايدجر. وأعتقد أني أحتاج إلى قراءة أعماله أو شروحات لها، نظرًا لإسهاماته الضخمة في مجال نقد الحداثة الغربية، أو فيما يعرف بالتنوير المضاد.

[Li Franc · Rating 1 out of 5]

a pointless book, waste of paper.. expression of hatred under cover of philosophy, the author tries hard to make a point and waste your precious time in the process.