Laclau and Mouffe

Laclau and Mouffe are political theorists who explore how societies form identities and how political struggles create meaning. They argue that politics is about constructing collective identities through language, symbols, and discourse, not just economic or material interests. They emphasize that political power is shaped by chains of demands from different groups, often competing to define meanings and influence society. Their work highlights the importance of discourse and contestation in democratic politics, showing that identities are fluid and constructed through ongoing interactions, rather than fixed or natural.