The fantasmatic logic as inertia and force: Myths, legends and utopias in policy making

Panel Chairs:

Aysem Mert, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, aysem.mert@ivm.vu.nl

Katja Freistein, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, freistein@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Abstract:

In the so-called "post-ideological" world (Žižek 1989, 1997), in which the articulations of ideologies have changed drastically (although they might be important as ever) it is increasingly important for the political scientists to explain why social change happens or does not happen. Whether or not one agrees with the conceptualisation of a post-ideological world is beside the point: Class formations as well as nationalism are less and less decisive in shaping political identities, or at least their influence is neither directly identifiable nor steady enough to explain the changes at all levels of politics. Ernesto Laclau (2005) suggested that the force behind the formation of identities and hegemonic struggles (or the lack of these) is the logic of fantasy.

According to Jason Glynos and David Howarth (2007) not only does the logic of fantasy helps us understand "the resistance to change of social practices (the 'inertia' of social practices), but also the speed and direction of change when it does happen (the 'vector' of political practices)". In other words, it renders the subjects "complicit in concealing or covering over the radical contingency of social relations" (ibid).

This panel will focus on the role of myths, legends and utopias in policy making at all levels, and from different parts of the world. Studies of the fantasmatic logic in relation to political and social practices in the formation of public and organisational discourses as well as the making of national or international public policy or the lack of such policies will be a major concern.