Analyzing Jacques Rancière's Perspective on Politics

Jacques Rancière's statement, "Politics exists because those who have no right to be counted as speaking beings make themselves of some account," encapsulates a deep reflection on the nature of politics, power, and voice. Let's dive into the essence of this statement, its broader context, and the insights it offers.

 

Who is Jacques Rancière?

Jacques Rancière is a French philosopher, primarily known for his work in political theory and aesthetics. Born in 1940, his intellectual journey has spanned various areas, but he is especially renowned for his critiques of power structures and his ideas about equality, democracy, and aesthetics. Rancière's work often interrogates the boundaries that separate different groups, be it in politics, art, or education.

 

Unpacking the Statement

The Essence of Politics: For Rancière, politics isn't merely about governance, policies, or the workings of established institutions. Instead, at its core, politics is about the assertion of presence and voice by those who have traditionally been silenced or marginalized.

 

Speaking Beings: The term "speaking beings" here symbolizes those who have a recognized voice or agency in society. In many societies, specific groups—due to factors like wealth, gender, race, or caste—have been given a predominant voice, while others have been systematically sidelined.

 

Making Themselves of Some Account: This part of the statement signifies the act of speaking out, resisting, and asserting one's existence and rights. It's about marginalized groups staking a claim in the political discourse, even when the established structures would prefer them to remain silent.

 

Implications of Rancière's Perspective

Politics as Emancipation: With this viewpoint, politics becomes an act of emancipation. It's not just about elections, parties, or governance. It's about marginalized groups reclaiming their voice, challenging the status quo, and reshaping the political landscape.

 

Challenging Established Hierarchies: Rancière's perspective inherently challenges established power hierarchies. If politics arises from the voiceless asserting their voice, then it becomes a disruptive force—one that can potentially overturn traditional power dynamics.

 

Democracy and Equality: Embedded in Rancière's statement is a profound belief in democracy and equality. For him, a true democratic space is one where every voice, no matter how marginalized, has the right to be heard and counted.

 

Conclusion

Jacques Rancière's perspective on politics offers a radical reimagining of what politics truly means. Beyond bureaucracy and governance, politics, in Rancière's view, is fundamentally about the assertion of voice by those historically silenced. It serves as a powerful reminder of the potential of politics to reshape societies and challenge deeply entrenched power structures. In a world with persistent inequalities and silenced voices, Rancière's insights prompt us to think critically about who gets to speak and who remains unheard in our political dialogues.