Democracy in the Present Tense: A Queer-Feminist Theory

In this interesting view on democracy and associated issues, Lorey (queer studies, Academy of Media Arts in Cologne; State of Insecurity) builds on her earlier work by considering the precarious nature of democracy. This work is not for the faint of heart, as the philosophical underpinnings in the first 100 pages, a dense analysis of Hobbes, Rousseau, Derrida, and Foucault to name a few, creates a necessary foundation for the overall argument. Despite the deep deconstruction of ideas along the way, the patient reader will be rewarded in the final chapter. Most notable is how the author breaks down the masculine structure of liberal democracy by proposing a totally new structure focusing on the present. Overall, this is not an easy book to read, but most thought-provoking works require much effort and engagement.