Essay Questions for Autumn Term

1. The paradox of Karl Marxs theory of history and society is that it opens the path
to a relational approach to political analysis, but then systematically short-circuits
its proper development. Discuss with reference to Marxs writings.
2. Gramsci is dead. Evaluate Richard Days dramatic claim that the hegemony of
hegemony constitutes a major blockage to the analysis of contemporary
societies, as well as an impediment to progressive politics.
3. To what extent is Louis Althussers use of Freudian and Lacanian categories like
overdetermination, condensation, displacement, and the imaginary
register a faithful borrowing from the original texts? How useful are these
concepts for an analysis of social and political phenomena?
4. Analyse the shift from Ernesto Laclaus early account of populism, as
developed in Politics and Ideology in Marxist Theory, to the arguments set out in
On Populist Reason, and then evaluate the respective merits of the two
approaches.
5. What are the strengths and weaknesses of Laclau and Mouffes novel concept of
social antagonism as developed in Hegemony and Socialist Strategy? Does the
addition of the category of dislocation respond adequately to the critiques of
antagonism, especially as put forward by Slavoj Zizek?
6. In what ways do notions like nodal points, floating signifiers and empty
signifiers enable political theorists to characterize, analyze and criticize key
social and political phenomena? What, if any, are the potential pitfalls associated
with such concepts?
7. In what respects, if any, is Michel Foucaults concept of the statement a
productive contribution to the development of political discourse analysis?
8. Is a genealogical critique of identities and practices compatible with an antiessentialist and anti-foundational approach to social and political analysis?
9. You may choose to do an essay of your own choice. If so, you must speak to the
class teacher before embarking upon the essay.