Politics & Government
Agonistic Pluralism: Political Conflict Beyond Liberal Consensus
Quick fact
Political theorist Chantal Mouffe argues that the liberal dream of universal rational consensus is both impossible and dangerous: it silences dissent and channels underlying antagonisms into explosive, destabilizing forms. Instead, agonistic pluralism turns political enemies into adversaries within a shared democratic game.
Why this is interesting
We often think of democracy as ending arguments and finding agreement. But what if a healthy democracy actually requires permanent, legitimated conflict? Agonistic pluralism says exactly that.