This volume, the first sustained critical work on the French political philosopher Étienne Balibar, collects essays by sixteen prominent philosophers, psychoanalysts, anthropologists, sociologists, and literary critics who each identify, define, and explore a central concept in Balibar’s thought. The result is a hybrid lexicon-engagement that makes clear the depth and importance of Balibar’s contribution to the most urgent topics in contemporary thought.

The book shows the continuing vitality of materialist thought across the humanities and social sciences and will be fundamental for understanding the philosophical bases of the contemporary left critique of globalization, neoliberalism, and the articulation of race, racism, and economic exploitation.

Contributors: Emily Apter, Étienne Balbar, J. M. Bernstein, Judith Butler, Monique David-Ménard, Hanan Elsayed, Didier Fassin, Stathis Gourgouris, Bernard E. Harcourt, Jacques Lezra, Patrice Maniglier, Warren Montag, Adi Ophir, Bruce Robbins, Ann Laura Stoler, Gary Wilder

Preface | vii

Introduction: Balibar and the Philosophy of the Concept
Warren Montag | 1

Anthropological
Bruce Robbins | 15

Border-Concept (of the Political)
Stathis Gourgouris | 28

Civil Religion: Secularism as Religion?
Judith Butler | 45

Concept
Étienne Balibar | 54

Contre- / Counter-
Bernard E. Harcourt | 71

Conversion
Monique David-Ménard | 85

Cosmopolitics
Emily Apter | 94

Interior Frontiers
Ann Laura Stoler | 117

Materialism
Patrice Maniglier | 140

The Political
Adi Ophir | 158

Punishment
Didier Fassin | 183

Race
Hanan Elsayed | 193

Relation
Jacques Lezra | 211

Rights
J. M. Bernstein | 230

Solidarity
Gary Wilder | 253

Bibliography | 275

List of Contributors | 311

Index | 315