Agonism and Antagonism: Past and Future Possibilites of Radical Democracy

Though radical democratic theory has become a mainstay in progressive political thought, it is clear that more work needs to be done in terms of establishing the empirical bases for its appearance and continuation. As such, through a comparative investigation and analysis of historical episodes of political contestation that reflect those encouraged by radical democratic theorists such as Chantal Mouffe, William Connolly, Bonnie Honig, and Jacques Rancière, this works looks to establish the circumstances in which such episodes are able to take an agonistic form. In establishing them and in analyzing their impact on the authors’ vision, suggestions for theoretical amendments are put forth for the purposes of strengthening the radical democratic project.