Judith Butler: We are witnessing the restoration of patriarchy and racism'

"We are witnessing the restoration of patriarchy, nationalism, racism, and capitalist individualism. It is the nostalgic fury of right-wing movements that want to return to an idealized past one that perhaps never truly existed and to reestablish hierarchical orders. This is the terrifying panorama described by Judith Butler. Butler, 69, spoke last Friday at the Reina Sofia Museum auditorium in Madrid with Joseba Elola, coordinator of EL PAIS's Ideas supplement, during a subscriber event marking the publication's 10th anniversary."

"When Butler appeared, the audience responded with the fervor of fans, applauding and cheering a reaction not typically seen at a philosophy event, even taking into account that Butler is the leading figure in the development and spread of queer theory, and one of the most influential voices in global thought, including in feminism and political philosophy. Butler is an intellectual icon and, judging by the audience's reception, something of a celebrity."

The restoration of patriarchy, nationalism, racism, and capitalist individualism is underway, driven by nostalgic right-wing movements aiming to return to an idealized past and reestablish hierarchical orders. An event at Madrid's Reina Sofia Museum auditorium attracted an unusually fervent audience that applauded and cheered, reflecting the celebrity status of a leading thinker in queer theory, feminism, and political philosophy. The individual was introduced by cultural and editorial figures and celebrated by attendees. The thinker emphasized the distinction between being a named figure and the broader circulation of thought, highlighting reliance on collective thinking and the communal nature of intellectual exchange.

Read at english.elpais.com