How Can Revolution Be Seen?

Abstract

In this article, the author attempts to show that it is still pertinent to talk today about revolution in the field of politics. This, however, is only possible in so far as the concept of revolution is connected to that of desire in the sense in which this term has been established in lacanian psychoanalysis. The starting point of this article is Robespierre’s well known question: »Citizens, would you want a revolution without a revolution?« Claiming with Robespierre that revolution is only possible by revolution, the author then discusses what he proposes to call the categorical imperative of the politics of emancipation, reading Mao’s maxim »one always has a reason to revolt« from a kantian perspective.