Political Categories: Thinking Beyond Concepts

Western philosophy has dominated by the concept or idea that there is one sovereign notion or singular principle that can make reality explicable and bring all that exists under its sway. In modern politics, ideology plays this role. Michael Marder proposes a new methodology for political science and philosophy, "categorial thinking," which suggests that no category alone can exhaust the meaning of anything. His book offers readers a theoretical toolbox for the interpretation of political phenomena, processes, institutions, and ideas, encompassing political temporality and spatiality, the revolutionary and conservative modalities of political actuality, possibility, and necessity, quantitative and qualitative approaches to the study of political reality, the meaning of political relations, and various senses of political being.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 12 March 2019
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Western philosophy has been dominated by the concept or the idea—the belief that there is one sovereign notion or singular principle that can make reality explicable and bring all that exists under its sway. In modern politics, this role is played by ideology. Left, right, or center, political schools of thought share a metaphysics of simplification. We internalize a dominant, largely unnoticeable framework, oblivious to complex, plural, and occasionally conflicting or mutually contradictory explanations for what is the case.

In this groundbreaking work, Michael Marder proposes a new methodology for political science and philosophy, one which he terms “categorial thinking.” In contrast to the concept, no category alone can exhaust the meaning of anything: categories are so many folds, complications, respectful of multiplicity. Ranging from classical Aristotelian and Kantian philosophies to phenomenology and contemporary politics, Marder's book offers readers a theoretical toolbox for the interpretation of political phenomena, processes, institutions, and ideas. His categorial apparatus encompasses political temporality and spatiality; the revolutionary and conservative modalities of political actuality, possibility, and necessity; quantitative and qualitative approaches to the study of political reality; the meaning of political relations; and various senses of political being. Under this lens, the political appears not as a singular concept but as a family of categories, allowing room for new, plural, and often antagonistic ideas about the state, the people, sovereignty, and power.

Marder's categorial thinking is a powerful tool for understanding the complexities of political life. By recognizing that no single category can fully explain the world, we can begin to see the political as a rich and multifaceted phenomenon. This approach encourages us to think critically about the categories we use to understand the world and to consider the ways in which they shape our perceptions and interpretations.

One of the key strengths of Marder's approach is its ability to bridge the gap between different political schools of thought. By recognizing the commonalities between these schools of thought, Marder can help us to develop a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the political. For example, Marder argues that the categories of political temporality and spatiality are essential to understanding the dynamics of political processes. He suggests that political phenomena can be understood as the result of the interaction between different temporal and spatial dimensions, such as the past, present, and future, as well as the local, national, and global levels.

Another important aspect of Marder's approach is its recognition of the importance of political relations. He argues that political phenomena are not isolated events but are always embedded in a network of social, economic, and cultural relations. By understanding these relations, we can better understand the dynamics of political change and the factors that contribute to political stability and instability.

Marder's approach also emphasizes the importance of qualitative and quantitative approaches to the study of political reality. He argues that these approaches are not mutually exclusive but can be used in conjunction to develop a more comprehensive understanding of political phenomena. For example, qualitative approaches can be used to explore the meanings and values that underpin political phenomena, while quantitative approaches can be used to analyze the patterns and trends of political behavior.

In conclusion, Marder's categorial thinking is a groundbreaking approach to political science and philosophy that offers a new way of understanding the political. By recognizing the complexities of political life and the importance of multiplicity, Marder provides readers with a theoretical toolbox for the interpretation of political phenomena, processes, institutions, and ideas. This approach encourages us to think critically about the categories we use to understand the world and to consider the ways in which they shape our perceptions and interpretations.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 146 x 222 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231188685