Laclau and Mouffe (1987) Postmarxism without apologies

In this article, Laclau & Mouffe respond to their critics. After the publication of "Hegemony and Socialist Strategy" in 1985 a number of scholars have criticized their rethinking of the socialist project. One of the main ciriticism has been levelled against Laclau & Mouffe's conception of discourse. What today seems to be a defendable and accepted position, i.e. that objects are above all discursively constructed and that they only become meaningful via discourse, sparked major criticism at that time. Hence, the piece gives - to my mind - a refreshing sense for the beginnings or early times of a debate on discourse and materiality which is still vibrant today.