political protest – Diversity Reading List

Butler, Judith, Athena Athanasiou. The Political Promise of the Performative

2013, In: Dispossession: The Performative in the Political. London: Polity. 140-148.

Categories: Political Theory, Social and Political Philosophy, Value Theory

Keywords: performativity, political dissent, political protest

Expand entry: Added by: Rossen Ventzislavov

Summary: In this conversation Butler and Athanasiou explore the parameters of the public performance of political dissent. They discuss instances of political protest that link up to Butler and Athanasiou's shared sense of performativity. For the two of them, performativity is the aspect of our social life that manifests surprise, challenge and urgency through the human body. This makes the performative an especially effective instrument against the disparity, dispossession and desperation the better part of humanity is forced to endure.

Comment: This text is best used as a further or specialised reading in classes on political dissent and subversion of social norms. It can inspire interesting discussions on ways to express dissent and protest, and can be very useful in discussions of politically involved art.

Difficulty: Intermediate

Recommended use: Specialised reading

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