Notes on an 'Open' Constituent Power

Illan Rua Wall 

University of Warwick
May 1, 2013

Abstract:      
This paper examines the critical responses to the question of constituent power. Instead of providing a foundation for the constituted order, the paper looks at the various ways in which constituent power can be viewed as ‘open’ and undetermined. It looks at two issues in particular: the ‘subject’ of constituent power, and the nature of the ‘power’ involved. Surveying various critical theorists of the constituent moment, the paper concludes on the various difference within such open textured theory.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 15

Keywords: Constituent Power, Constitutionalism, The People, The Multitude, Potentia, Virno, Laclau, Agamben, Ranciere, Negri, Dussel

Full text available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2259008