Journals / Birey ve Toplum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1

DISCOURSE, HEGEMONY, AND RADICAL DEMOCRACY: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF LACLAU AND MOUFFE’S POST-MARXISM

SÖYLEM, HEGEMONYA VE RADİKAL DEMOKRASİ: LACLAU VE MOUFFE’UN POST-MARKSİZMİNİN ELEŞTİREL BİR İNCELEMESİ

Pages
24–41
Publication Date
2026-10-19
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

By synthesizing these perspectives, I evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Laclau and Mouffe’s approach and its relevance in contemporary political struggles.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This article critically examines Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe’s post-Marxist discourse theory and focuses on their redefinition of hegemony and radical democracy.
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Key Findings & Data:While their framework has been influential in political theory, scholars such as Bertram (1995), Landry and MacLean (1991), Dallmayr (1987), and Townshend (2004) have raised concerns regarding its theoretical coherence and political applicability.
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Conclusion & Impact:By synthesizing these perspectives, I evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Laclau and Mouffe’s approach and its relevance in contemporary political struggles.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2004 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Hegemonya · Post-Marksizm · Radikal Demokrasi

Abstract

This article critically examines Ernesto Laclau and Chantal Mouffe’s post-Marxist discourse theory and focuses on their redefinition of hegemony and radical democracy. Departing from classical Marxism, Laclau and Mouffe argue that social struggles are constituted through discursive articulations rather than economic structures. They replace class essentialism with contingent political formations. While their framework has been influential in political theory, scholars such as Bertram (1995), Landry and MacLean (1991), Dallmayr (1987), and Townshend (2004) have raised concerns regarding its theoretical coherence and political applicability. This article engages with these critiques and addresses the limitations of their rejection of foundationalism, the potential relativism of their radical democratic project, and the implications of their concept of hegemony. By synthesizing these perspectives, I evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Laclau and Mouffe’s approach and its relevance in contemporary political struggles.

Özet

Bu makale Ernesto Laclau ve Chantal Mouffe’un post-Marksist söylem teorisini eleştirel bir şekilde incelemekte ve hegemonya ve radikal demokrasinin yeniden tanımlanmasına odaklanmaktadır. Klasik Marksizmden yola çıkan Laclau ve Mouffe, toplumsal mücadelelerin ekonomik yapılardan ziyade söylemsel eklemlenmeler yoluyla oluşturulduğunu savunur. Sınıf özcülüğünü, rastlantısal siyasi oluşumlar kavramıyla dönüştürürler. Çerçeveleri siyasi teoride etkili olmuş olsa da Bertram (1995), Landry ve MacLean (1991), Dallmayr (1987) ve Townshend (2004) gibi akademisyenler, teorilerinin teorik tutarlılığı ve siyasi uygulanabilirliği konusunda endişelerini dile getirmişlerdir. Bu makale bu eleştirileri ele almakta ve temelciliği reddetmelerinin sınırlamalarını, radikal demokratik projelerinin potansiyel göreliliğini ve hegemonya kavramlarının sonuçlarını ele almaktadır. Bu bakış açılarını sentezleyerek Laclau ve Mouffe’un yaklaşımının güçlü ve zayıf yönlerini ve çağdaş siyasal mücadelelerdeki önemi değerlendirilmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Büyükbay, C. (2026). DISCOURSE, HEGEMONY, AND RADICAL DEMOCRACY: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF LACLAU AND MOUFFE’S POST-MARXISM. Birey ve Toplum Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 16 Sayı: 1, 24–41. https://doi.org/10.20493/birtop.1786744

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References (10)

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  3. Dallmayr, F. (1987). Hegemony and democracy: A review of Laclau and Mouffe. Political Theory, 15(3), 284–296.
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  5. Laclau, E. & Mouffe, C. (1985). Hegemony and socialist strategy: Towards a radical democratic politics. London: Verso.
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