Neo-Despotism as Anti-Despotism

Diken, Bulent (2021) Neo-Despotism as Anti-Despotism. Theory, Culture and Society, 38 (4). pp. 47-49. ISSN 0263-2764

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Abstract

I treat despotism as a virtual concept. Thus it is necessary to expose its actualizations even when it appears as its opposite, refusing to recognize itself as despotism. I define despotism initially as arbitrary rule, in terms of a monstrous transgression of the law. But since the monster is grounded in its very formlessness, it cannot be demonstrated. However, one can always try to de-monstrate it through disagreements. In doing this, I deal with despotism not as a solipsistic undertaking but as part of a constellation that always already contains two other elements: economy and voluntary servitude. I give three different – ancient, early modern and late modern – accounts of this nexus, demonstrating how despotism continuously takes on new appearances. I conclude, in a counter-classical prism, how the classical nexus has evolved in modernity while the focus gradually shifted towards another triangulation: neo-despotism, use and dissent.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Theory, Culture and Society
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3300/3312
Subjects:
?? despotismuseneo-despotismvoluntary servitudefree willsecuritizationsociology and political sciencesocial sciences(all) ??
ID Code:
148958
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
11 Nov 2020 10:05
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
29 Nov 2023 00:29