Resumo

BARROS, Sebastián. Polarization and pluralism in Ernesto Laclau’s theory of hegemony. Latinoamérica [online]. 2018, n.67, pp.15-38. ISSN 2448-6914.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cialc.24486914e.2018.67.57079.

Ernesto Laclau’s theory of hegemony has been criticized with regard to its antagonistic definition of politics and the consequent reduction of pluralism. Based on two critical readings of the theory, the paper aims at discussing its populist drift in order to specify the problems of political polarization. In the first place, it tackles polarization and its relation to pluralism. Thence, it leads to problematize the notions equivalence and empty significant and then concentrate on the various levels of heterogeneity within the framework of the theory. Finally, it examines the multiple possible forms of relationship among differences that should avert the tendency towards binary logics in a Gramscian theory of hegemony.

Palavras-chave : Hegemony; Political polarization; Heterogeneity..