Edinburgh University Press The Political Thought of Jacques Ranciere: Creating Equality

Equality is not something that we must expect from state institutions. It is something that we must both presuppose and create through collective action. Todd May investigates in depth the philosophical grounds, ethical implications and practical consequences of the view of active equality. Much more than a commentary, his book is a powerful analysis of what politics means and how we can recover the project of political action. Jacques Ranciere This is the first single-authored book in any language devoted entirely to the thought of Jacques Ranciere. It focuses on his central political idea that a democratic politics emerges from the presupposition of equality. Todd May examines and extends this presupposition, offering a framework for understanding it, placing it in the current political context, and showing how it challenges traditional political philosophy and opens up neglected political paths. May aims to show that Ranciere's view offers both hope and perspective for those who seek to think about and engage in progressive political action. Key Features * offers a thorough discussion of Ranciere's concept of equality * provides an ethical framework in which to ground his politics * shows why Ranciere is crucial for political reflection today * both translated and untranslated works are referred to Review "May's is the first book-length study of one of contemporary Europe's most important thinkers, but more than this, it is also a radical engagement with some of the fundamental questions raised by political philosophy today." -- Philip Watts About the Author Todd May is Class of 1941 Memorial Professor of the Humanities at Clemson University. Among his most recent publications are Gilles Deleuze: An Introduction (2005) and The Philosophy of Foucault (2006). He has also been active in various political movements of equality, including anti-racism work and the struggle for Palestinian rights.