Deleuze and the Contemporary World (2006), edited by Ian Buchanan and Adrian Parr, is a collection of twelve essays that apply Gilles Deleuze’s philosophical concepts to analyze pressing issues of the early 21st century. The volume aims to demonstrate the relevance of Deleuze’s thought in understanding and engaging with contemporary political, social, and cultural phenomena.
Main Themes and Contributions
- Militarism and State Power: Ian Buchanan’s essay “Treatise on Militarism” examines the pervasive influence of militaristic structures in modern societies, analyzing how state power and military logic intertwine in contemporary governance.
- Minor Politics and the Multitude: Nicholas Thoburn’s “Vacuoles of Noncommunication” explores the concept of minor politics, discussing how non-majoritarian movements and the idea of the multitude challenge dominant political narratives.
- European Identity and Minoritarianism: Rosi Braidotti’s “The Becoming-Minoritarian of Europe” investigates the transformation of European identity through the lens of Deleuze’s concept of becoming-minoritarian, highlighting the continent’s evolving sociopolitical landscape.
- Colonialism and Deterritorialization: Paul Patton’s “The Event of Colonisation” and Adrian Parr’s “Deterritorialising the Holocaust” analyze historical events through Deleuzian frameworks, discussing how colonization and the Holocaust can be understood in terms of deterritorialization and reterritorialization processes.
- National Identity and Becoming: Laurence J. Silberstein’s “Becoming Israeli/Israeli Becomings” delves into the complexities of Israeli national identity, employing Deleuze’s notions of becoming to unpack the dynamic and multifaceted nature of national belonging.
- Affective Citizenship and Biopolitics: Eugene W. Holland’s “Affective Citizenship and the Death-State” examines the role of affect in citizenship and governance, exploring how states manage populations through biopolitical means.
- Cinema and Political Expression: Patricia Pisters’ “Arresting the Flux of Images and Sounds” discusses the use of free indirect discourse in political cinema, analyzing how film can serve as a medium for political expression and resistance.
- Information, Resistance, and the Virtual: John Marks’ “Information and Resistance” explores the intersection of Deleuze’s concept of the virtual with cybernetics, considering how information technologies can both enable and hinder forms of resistance.
- Philosophy as Joyful Engagement: Claire Colebrook’s “The Joy of Philosophy” reflects on the practice of philosophy itself, emphasizing Deleuze’s view of philosophy as a creative and joyful engagement with the world.
Collectively, these essays illustrate the applicability of Deleuze’s concepts—such as deterritorialization, becoming, and the virtual—to a range of contemporary issues, including militarism, identity, colonialism, and media. The volume serves as a testament to the enduring relevance of Deleuzian thought in analyzing and responding to the complexities of the modern world.
For those interested in exploring these themes further, the book is available through various academic publishers and libraries.