Only Agamben can save us? Against the messianic turn recently adopted in critical theory

In this paper, I offer a strong criticism of Giorgio Agamben’s recent political texts. I argue that these texts bring to fruition a larger, contentious trend in the theoretical academy coupling one-dimensional, pessimistic accounts of modernity with strands of messianism. Since the political prospects of messianism, as Agamben’s analyses show, are very thin indeed, I reflectively question the presuppositions that lead him to this prescriptive juncture. In Part I, recurring to Scholem’s classic analyses of Jewish messianism, I show how Agamben’s messianism borrows more or less directly (in The Open) from kabalistic, antinomian, utopian messianism. Having established this exegetical point, I argue two theses in parts II and III. The first, specifically theoretical thesis is that Agamben is driven into his political messianism by the transcendental logic of his analyses of ‘the political’, one which by its nature occludes meaningfully political distinctions by instead seeking out their ontological grounds. The second, specifically political thesis is that the widespread embrace of ontological messianism by thinkers in the post-Marxian academy is a symptom of, rather than a cure for, the wider malaise of the political left in the first world. If critical theory is serious about engaging with progressive praxis, one thing it must do is recall the difference between politics and prima philosophia, so that it does not continue to seek out ‘redemption’ – or at least an apology – in the bowels of the latter.

The Left in Australia: time for a new renewal?

For the purpose of the article the author takes as a starting point the approach taken by the Italian writer, Norberto Bobbio, who identifies the Left with egalitarianism and distinguishes left leaning positions which support equality, from right wing ones which support inequality. Thus, in its broadest form, the term `Left' refers to ideas and philosophies, people, groups and political and social movements whose normative base is embedded in a commitment to an egalitarian society. However, the term 'equality,' like the term 'Left,' is not always straightforward.

Section 46 of the Trade Practices Act-has the High Court made a "u-turn" on "taking advantage"?

Examination of High Court decisions on misuse of market power in regard to the element of "taking advantage" reveals inconsistency of application. Whilst being consistent regarding the need for a connection between the market power and the impugned conduct, the High Court has not been consistent regarding the degree of connection required. Two streams have developed, one supporting a high degree of connection, the other a lower degree before a firm is found to have "taken advantage" of its market power. Added to this has been the development of the "rational business explanation" which, it is argued, is either used as a defence to a s 46 action or is premised on the higher threshold of connection. Initially the high Court supported the lower threshold. In later decisions, whilst expressing support for the earlier decisions, in application the High Court favoured the higher threshold and at one point the rational business explanation. This trend appears to have been reversed with the most recent High Court decision which indicates substantive support for the earlier s 46 decisions.

Factors influencing money left on the table by property trust IPO issuers

While previous listed property trust (LPT) initial public offering (IPO) studies have identified low under pricing returns, this study specifically examines the amount of money left on the table by the pre-IPO owners in this category of IPO. This study investigates 58 property trust IPOs in Australia from 1994 to 2004 and finds that the amount of money left by LPT IPOs is considerably less than industrial company IPOs, implying considerably less uncertainty about the valuation of such IPOs compared to industrials. We also find that more recent (post 2000) LPT IPOs in Australia appear to be significantly different to previous LPT IPOs in both money left and under pricing terms.

Can experiential learning improve emotional intelligence and can that, in turn, improve the work performance of middle managers?

A group of middle managers in the Australian arm of a large Global company participated in a program of experiential leadership training over a period of one year. One aim of the program was increased interpersonal skills and awareness. Change was measured using a mixed quantitative and qualitative longitudinal design. Pre and post-training measures of emotional intelligence were obtained using the EIQ (Dulewicz & Higgs, 2000) and compared with content analysis of journals kept by participants during the program. The dependent variable was measured by pre and post training measures of work performance. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for management development as well as for further research.