Alain Badiou

FRAGMENTS OF A PUBLIC DIARY ON

THE AMERICAN WAR AGAINST IRAQ
Ali:lciouGl:Ikl:Go
University of Paris-VII Jussieu, Lecture Hall 44,
(February 26, 2003)
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Contemporary French and Francophone Studies Vol. 8, No. 3 Summer 2004, pp. 223238
ISSN 1740-9292 print/ISSN 1477-2876 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd
http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals DOI: 10.1080/1026021042000247045
224 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
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:t|c: i: t|c ostostw:
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t|c DA :c t|c Dk I|c soit collsc oi t|c Dk ;w|ic| clscw|c:c lvc
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to :cic: to t|c :cvolutio::, isoltio: oi |i:, w|ic| is lso its cist:t oo.o
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oliticl ctio: I|t is w|t t|c :csc:t ws t|c oi:t oi co:cc:stio: oi t|c
:csc:tu|i:g owc: oi w: :c t|c cu:cito:, owc: oi :cvolutio:
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i t|is :csc:t t|t tics t|c loclizcc io:cc oi w: to t|c cist:t |ccoui:g
oi cu:citio: :ot|i:g :cui:s :ot|i:g :cui:s t|t, io: t|c uouc:t, c:
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|cgi::i:g oi t|c 1--0s
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co.
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THE AME RI CAN WAR AGAI NST I RAQ 225
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:, i:cictio: to :,o:c t|t w: |s |cc: cccl:cc
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;lcs co:scillc:s :o|cs ct li|:cs, I|c l:i:cilcc :c lu:til Acvisc:s
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226 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
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:oclius t|cu
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1

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Auc:ic:, o: wcstc::, ccc, ccuoc:tic cccw:, w|osc c:ti:c co:tc:t
is t|c couio:t oi t|c |ovcuc:tio:cc ccuoc:ts gi:st t|c |:|:i:
gg:cssivc:css oi t|c oo:
to.. o1 to.!.o.o..o. |. u:
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lug||lc, it uust |c sic, t|: t|c slog: :o to lcisu |i:c, :o
THE AME RI CAN WAR AGAI NST I RAQ 227
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t t|c ccu:it, ou:cil is ovc:
lo: wc|c: still t|: cisu is t|c icc t|t gg:cssio: gi:st l:q woulc
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cxui:i:g t|c co:citio:s u:cc: w|ic| t|t w: uig|t :cui: colc :t|c: t|:
|ot Io co t|is, t|c D: :cvc: |csittcc to t::sio:u itscli i:to t|c
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io: cxulc, o: t|c io:uc: lclgi: o:go i:cc t|c collsc oi t|c ovict
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i:tc::tio:l couuu:it, I|is :uc i: ict ccsig:tcs t|c suoscc su||cct
oi ccuoc:tic couio:t i: t|c ostostw: I|c D: is t|c :liuc:t w|osc
voti:g :occss givcs t|c ctio: oi t|is uttivc su||cct its cxistc:cc I|c
:ucc |::c| oi t|t ctio: vc:, :cl o:c is t|c Auc:ic: :u,, :c
its occsio:l stcllitcs
I|c :csc:t situtio: is t|t oi :cgultio: to |c iou:c ciicult
ts| |ctwcc: t|c Auc:ic: owc: guc ;w|ic| is t|c :clit, ::cil :c
uilit:, oi t|c i:tc::tio:l couuu:it,, :c t|c :liuc:t:, guc oi
t|c D: I|c cccisio: |clo:gs to t|c :clu oi owc: ;t|c Auc:ic:
govc::uc:t :c its l:itis| ooclc ccciccc to i:vcc l:q,, |ut t|c ctio:
ccu:cs :liuc:t:, votc, t t|c ccu:it, ou:cil o: t t|c D: Gc:c:l
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:cg:ci:g vlucs |uu: :ig|ts, |uu:isu, |uu:it:i:isu, ccuoc:tic
i:tc:vc:tio:s, :c ot|c: :o:sc:sc
lo: w|t co:stitutcs t|c cssc:cc oi :liuc:t:, ctio:, oi olitics s
:c:csc:ttivc cclcgtio: :c t|c cou:ti:g oi votcs |viousl,, t|c cxistc:cc
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ui:ti:s t|c :iciculous susc:sc oi t|c i:scctio:s, co:sicc:s t|c cc:tu:c
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228 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
t|c :occcu:c oi its lcgitiuiztio: is cisutcc W: uust :ot o:l, |c ccciccc
|, t|osc w|o :c goi:g to wgc it lt uust lso |c votcc io: |, t|osc w|o
co:t |vc t|c uc:s to wgc it
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t|c ts| oi :ovici:g :og:c io: :|cc owc:
1|. :oo.. c +....o tc..
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s |vi:g t|:cc c|:ctc:istics
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oi uilit:, suc:io:it, lvc: t|oug| t|c :c:t |cgcuo:, is totl :c
u:co:tcstcc, t|c ciio:t ccvotcc to |uilci:g u uilit:, cquiuc:t |s :cvc:
slowcc cow: I|c w: |ucgct oi t|c D:itcc ttcs is |ig|c: t|: t|t oi ll
t|c ot|c: |ig owc:s ut togct|c: lvc:,t|i:g |c:s s t|oug| t|c
succcssivc govc::uc:ts :c i: t|is sc:sc lus| is siul, u:gi:g :
i:|c:it:cc wo:| t o|ti:i:g qulittivc suc:io:it,, sttc oi t|i:gs suc|
t|t it woulc |c iuossi|lc io: :,o:c to cvc: cou:c itscli to Auc:ic:
owc:, o: cvc: to |oc to o:c c, ::ivc t suc| cou:iso: l: t|is t|c:c
is : iu:cssivc uto:ou, oi t|c uilit:, icto:, co:stitutcc :ou:c t|c
:otio: oi : i::cvc:si|lc 1..cc..c |ctwcc: t|c D:itcc ttcs :c t|c :cst
oi t|c wo:lc
cco:cl,, wc uust co:sicc: t|c sclicc:tc:i:g oi t|c D:itcc ttcs, t|c
totl ltc:i:g oi cvc:,t|i:g t|t co:cc::s t|c :cst oi t|c wo:lc t|:oug| t|c
vc:, :ticul: s,stcu oi its i:tc:csts lo: Auc:ic:s, t|c wo:lc |s :o
o||cctivc cxistc:cc lt is o:l, stgc io: t|ci: i:tc:csts, cis:tc sso:tuc:t
oi situtio:s cxui:cc i: iu:ctio: oi t|c t|:cts o: :csou:ccs t|t t|csc
situtio:s co:stitutc io: Auc:ic: couio:t ;w|ts |cc: cllcc, io: souc tiuc,
cit|c: t|c +....o o, c !..,
!
o: t|c +....o 1..o,
!
w|ic| t|c w|olc
wo:lc, i: t|c c:c, is s|cc to co:sicc: t|c su:cuc gol oi t|t wo:lc, :c
w|ic| o:c uust wo:| to c:ctutc, I|c cxt:o:ci::, ig:o::cc cx|i|itcc
|, t|c u|o:it, oi Auc:ic:s |out t|c uost clcuc:t:, givc:s oi t|c livcs
oi ot|c: colc, : ig:o::cc oi w|ic| wc coulc givc : i::it, oi stou:ci:g
cxulcs, is :cll, o:l, co:scquc:cc oi t|c ict t|t Auc:ic is, io:
Auc:ic:s, t|c :lit, oi t|c wo:lc A co:scquc:cc t|t : A:istotcli: coulc
susti: ii t|c DA is t|c su:cuc u:uovcc uovc: oi t|c ctivit, oi t|c :cst
oi t|c wo:lc, t|c: tu::i:g tow:cs t|c D:itcc ttcs lo:c iullls t|oug|t
I|is is cxctl, w|t t|c lu:oc: ;uostl, l:c:c|, |i:cc |it uc: :ocliu
t|t Auc:ic is t|c g:ct ccuoc:c,, t|c ccic:cc: oi ou: li|c:tics, o:, s
THE AME RI CAN WAR AGAI NST I RAQ 229
Auc:ic:s ll oi t|cu, cvc: cc:ticc :og:cssivcs |vc lw,s sic, it is
t|c uoccl oi w|t o ... .co.,

c: |c
li:ll,, wc uust co:sicc: t|c :tu:c oi Auc:ic: i:tc:vc:tio:isu lt is
:ot, i: ict, oi clssicll, iuc:il |i:c A: cui:c t|cs c:c oi t|c :cgio:s
it occuics, :cgultcs t|c :o|lcus oi tc::ito:il cui:ist:tio:, cxui:cs
qucstio:s :cg:ci:g t|c civc:sit, oi custous, c:ctcs i:i:st:uctu:cs, cctc:
ui:cs wit| cxctitucc t|c :cltio:s wit| t|c uct:oolc, :c so io:t| :ot|i:g
oi t|c so:t occu:s i: Auc:ic: i:tc:vc:tio:s, w|ic| c: ccouuoctc
|o::i|lc, :olo:gcc ciso:cc: ;s i: llcsti:c, Aig|:ist:, Ai:ic, touo::ow
i: l:q,, :ovici:g t|t w|tcvc: it ws t|t uotivtcc t|c |ou|s :c t|c
i:vsio: |c, s t|c, s,, sccu:cc
ls t|is t|c suc t|i:g s s,i:g t|t t|c D:itcc ttcs is o:l, scco:c:,,
o: i: :, csc :ot cc:t:l, iccc oi s,stcutic t::s:tio:l :tus li|c
t|c o:c :cg:i clls i... l :c :o |sis w|tsocvc: io: t|t co:st:uctio:,
o:c t|t is, s usul, cxclusivcl, ccsti:cc to clicit, t|:oug| :cvc:sl oi t|t
s,stcutic owc:, t|c :ci:t :ouisc oi t|c co:stitutio:lizcc uultitucc
As wc |:ow, io: :cg:i t|c iollowc: oi i:oz, t|c:c is o:l, o:c |isto:ic
su|st:cc, suc| t|t t|c citlist lui:c is t t|c suc tiuc t|c stgc io: :
u::ccccc:tcc couuu:ist cclo,uc:t I|is cc:ti:l, |s t|c cv:tgc oi
llowi:g colc to |clicvc t|t t|c wo:sc cvc:,t|i:g gcts, t|c |cttc: t|i:gs :c
goi:g, o: to uist|c:l, t|c t|c usclcssl, co:vo|cc ccuo:st:tio:s |clc i: t|c
uicst oi t|c owc:iul io: t|c c:ctio: :c t|c uultiio:u i:vc:tio: oi :cw
ctit|ou:gcois :olct:i:s
l: ict, t|c D:itcc ttcs is : iuc:ilist owc: wit|out : cui:c,
|cgcuo:, wit|out tc::ito:ilit, l :oosc t|c tc:u zo:i:g j.co. to
co:vc, its :cltio: to t|c wo:lc cvc:, lcc i: t|c wo:lc c: |c co:sicc:cc
|, t|c Auc:ic: govc::uc:t s zo:c oi vitl i:tc:cst, o: s zo:c oi totl
cisi:tc:cst, cco:ci:g to uctutio:s i: t|c co:sicc:tio: oi its ccuoc:tic
couio:t You coulc cic |, t|c t|ous:cs wit|out Auc:ic :isi:g : c,c|:ow
;t|us, io: ,c:s, AlD i: Ai:ic,, o:, o: t|c ot|c: |:c, |vc to c:cu:c t|c
|uilcu oi colossl :u, i: t|c uicclc oi t|c ccsc:t ;l:q toc,, Zco.
uc:s t|t Auc:ic: uilit:, i:tc:vc:tio: :cscu|lcs :ic uuc| uo:c t|:
colo:ilt,c i:tc:vc:tio: lts |out vst i:cu:sio:s, :ticul:l, |:utl i:
:tu:c, t|t :c s |:ici s ossi|lc lill colc i: l:gc :uu|c:s, |ct t|cu
i:to stuo:, sus| t|cu u:til t|ci: lst gs, t|c: :ctu:: |ouc to c:|o, t|c
couio:t ,ouvc so s|illiull, ccic:ccc i: :ovisio:ll, st:tcgic zo:c t|is
is |ow t|c DA t|i:|s |out its owc:, :c |out |ow to usc it
I|c tiuc will cc:ti:l, couc io: us to co:cctulizc t|is ssc:tio: t|c
uct|,sics oi Auc:ic: owc: is uct|,sics oi liuitlcss:css I|c g:ct
iuc:il t|co:ics oi t|c :i:ctcc:t| cc:tu:, wc:c lw,s t|co:ics oi civici:g,
civici:g u t|c wo:lc, c:cti:g |ou:c:ics lo: t|c DA, t|c:c :c :o liuits
:ixo:s cvisc:s, s :ou |ous|, oi:ts out, wc:c l:cc, :ocliui:g t|is
u:cc: t|c :uc oi |. c!... c |. o1o I|c DA uust iuosc uo: t|c
230 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
:cst oi t|c wo:lc t|c |clici t|t it t|c D:itcc ttcs is .oo/!. c o,|.,
:c csccill, oi w|t is :cit|c: :tio:l :o: io:cscc|lc I|c cxccssivc qulit,
oi t|c i:tc:vc:tio:s ius t gctti:g t|c cvc:s:, to :clizc t|t t|c Auc:ic:
:ctlitio: c: |c totll, u::cltcc to w|t ws i:itill, t st|c I|c cvc:s:,
will cccu it :cic:|lc to co:cccc u:gcuc:t oi t|c cisutcc zo:c, io:
tiuc, to t|c o1 owc: I|c i:vsio: oi l:q, cu::c:tl, u:cc: :c:tio:,
is gu:c oi t|t uc:css lt s|ows t|t, io: Auc:ic: govc::uc:ts, t|c:c
:c :cit|c: cou:t:ics, :o: ttcs, :o: colcs I|c:c :c o:l, zo:cs, w|c:c
o:c is |usticc i: ccst:o,i:g cvc:,t|i:g ii t|c:c is, i: t|osc zo:cs, t|c slig|tcst
qucstio: oi t|c icc : cut, o:c, |csiccs oi Auc:ic: couio:t
University of Paris VII-Jussieu, Lecture Hall 44
(March 26, 2003)
io.., c Po.
Io t|i:| w:, its usciul to co:sicc: w|t is |ci:g s|ow: oi t|c w:, w|t
iugcs oi it :c ci:culti:g lccusc ;:o:,ccuo:st:tio: is :t oi w:
o:t:olli:g iugcs is uilit:, iu:ctio:, o:c t|t lics soucw|c:c i: |ctwcc:
i:tclligc:cc, i:toxictio:, :c :og:c Wcvc |cc: tolc t|is tiuc :ou:c
t|t, i: t|c i:tc:cst oi t::s:c:c,, |ou::lists will |c i:tcg:tcc i:to
Auc:ic: cou|t u:its I|is cu|ccccc:css tclls us :ot|i:g wo:t|w|ilc
l: :, csc, iugcs :c cc:ti:l, t|c icc|lcst w, oi gi:i:g cccss to
w:s i:tclligc:cc Wc s|oulc :cucu|c: t|t t|c uost iuous |otos oi t|c
lst wo:lc w:, suc| s t|c o:c s|owi:g t|c ovicts i: lc:li: o: t|c kcic|stg
:ooi, wc:c t|c :csult oi :c:::gcc oscs l: tiucs oi w:, t|:cc t,cs oi
iugc :c:csc:ttio: c: |c cisti:guis|cc cco:ci:g to t|c w, t|c, :c
ci:cultcc
1 lugcs cisl,cc |, |ot| siccs, iugcs vil|lc to ll
! lugcs cisl,cc |, o:l, o:c sicc
! lugcs t|t :c :ot cisl,cc |, :,o:c
lcts t|c t|c cxulc oi t|c iugcs oi t|c :st |ou|i:g oi lg|cc I|csc
|clo:g to t|c :st ctcgo:,, t lcst i: gc:c:l w,, |ccusc t|c, sig:ii,
siul, t|t t|c w: |s |cgu:, |cgi::i:g t|t |ot| siccs c|:owlccgc I|c
suo|c, t|c c:|c:cc |o:izo:s, t|c ccic:i:g :oisc oi cxlosio:s ll t|is
lc:ts cvc:,o:c to t|c iuui:c:t |ttlc
t|c: iugcs |clo:gi:g to t|c :st ctcgo:, :c uscc |, |ot|, siul,
|ccusc t|c, :c susccti|lc to two co:t:cicto:, i:tc::cttio:s I|is is t:uc
oi |o::i|lc iugcs uo:c t|: :, ot|c: t|osc oi ccc |ocics s:wlcc o: t|c
g:ou:c, o: oi :iso:c:s c|i:cc, |ooccc, |uuilitcc I|csc c: sig:ii,
victo:,, :c sc:vc s w::i:g ci:cctcc t t|osc o: t|c sicc oi t|c suoscc
THE AME RI CAN WAR AGAI NST I RAQ 231
v:quis|cc : t|c, c: :c:csc:t t|c |:|:isu :c |:utlit, oi t|c uttivc
victo:s, :c sc:vc s |uu:it:i: :og:c io: t|c oosi:g sicc
W|c:cvc: iugcs vil|lc to cvc:,o:c :c co:cc::cc, t|c, :c t|c:c
o:l, |ccusc t|ci: uc:i:g is cvsivc, cit|c: |ccusc it is cccic:t ;t|c iugc,
vguc :c o:tc:tous t t|c suc tiuc, o:l, s,s w|t cvc:,o:c l:cc,
|:ows, t|t t|c w: |s |cgu:, t|t |ou|s :c c:oi:g, :c so io:t|,, o:
|ccusc it is u|iguous ;t|c iugc is u|i|ologicl, s is, i: its cssc:cc, t|c
t|cuc oi victius, lugcs oi t|c scco:c ctcgo:, :c oi i:tc:cst :c, i: ict,
c: o:l, |c scc: |ccusc t|c, :c |ci:g cxlicitl, i:st:uuc:tlizcc |, o:c oi
t|c two siccs I|c t|c cxulc oi t|c |oto oi t|c :ui:s oi : :tuc:t
|uilci:g i: lg|cc lo: us to cvc: |c w:c t|t t|c |uilci:g is i: lg|cc
cocs :ot ccc:c ci:cctl, o: t|c iugc, |ut o: t|c :otocol su::ou:ci:g |ow
it is |ci:g s|ow: ;t|:oug| t|c gc:c, oi t|c lt|ist :cgiuc, i: t|is csc,
I|is lo:c givcs t|c iugc its suoscc uc:i:g t|c Auc:ic:s :c |li:cl,
ccst:o,i:g wo:|i:gclss :cig||o:|oocs lc:c gi:, t|c iugcs uc:i:g,
scvc:cc i:ou t|c co:tcxt oi its ci:cultio:, is ::ullcc I|c suc t|i:g gocs
ii ,ou scc littlc g:ou oi socllcc l:qis g:ccti:g : Auc:ic: t:| W|o
:c t|csc colc A:c t|c, i:cc to co w|t t|c, :c coi:g W|t co t|c,
:c:csc:t lts u,stc:, I|c o:l, t|i:g wc c: |c su:c oi is t|t t|c iugc
sc:vcs t|c Auc:ic: cliu to iu:ctio: i: l:q :ot s : :u, oi i:vsio: :c
occutio:, |ut s : :u, oi li|c:tio: As io: t|c iugcs t|t ill i:to t|c
t|i:c ctcgo:,, wc co:t scc t|cu o: wc scc t|cu |, ccicc:t Wc lw,s
iugi:c t|c, cxist, |ut t|c, :c :ot ccqutcl, cisl,cc |, cit|c: oi t|c two
siccs :otocols I|c:c is, i: ict, coulicit, |ctwcc: t|c two siccs, :
g:ccuc:t |ctwcc: t|cu to co:sicc: t|csc :c:csc:ttio:s usclcss, ii :ot
|:uiul I|is is t|c csc io: t|c iugcs oi t|c ccst:uctio: oi t|c l:qi A:u,
cci:g c:oss t|c ccsc:t cu:i:g t|c :st Guli W:, w|ic| wc:c :ot i:itill,
cisl,cc |, :,o:c I|c l:qis cic:t w:t to cxosc t|c iull cxtc:t oi t|ci:
ccict lut t|c iugcs oi |ocics |low: u |, ui:cs o: |u::t |, i:cc:ci:,
|ou|s wc:c so |o::i|lc t|t t|c Auc:ic:s i: :o w, w:tcc t|cu i:
ci:cultio: I|csc iugcs :c t|c suc |sc:t t|c |o::o: s t|c iugcs oi
i:tc::izi:g |ctwcc: l:c:c| :c Gc:u: solcic:s cu:i:g Wo:lc W: l, |ot|
:c cclo:|lc io: t|c gc:c:ls o: |ot| siccs, :c |ot| ttcst to t|c s|:cc
:clit, oi w:, to t|t w|ic| iiccts t|c two siccs o: oi:io:s cqull, cct|,
t|c |su:c, t|c s|:i:g oi cxcctio:lit, I|is is w|,, wit|i: t|c logic oi
w:, t|c, :cui: i:visi|lc
Wc uig|t s,, t|c:, t|t t|c iugc g::ts t|oug|t :o cccss i:to
situtio:s oi w: W|c:, i:ou t|c ict t|t wc sw :ot|i:g oi t|c Guli W:,
luc:ill:c ::ivcs t its :o:cxistc:cc i: t|c wo:lc si:cc |c clius t|t t|is
wo:lc is t|t oi t|c vi:tul o: t|c iugc |c osits s c:itc:io: oi uocc::it,
w|t is i: ict tiuclcss t:uisu |ccusc w|t is t::suittcc u|licl, |out
w: is :t oi w: itscli, it c::ot io:u t|c |sis io: t|i:|i:g |out w:s
:clit, l:ou t|is oi:t oi vicw, t|c:c is :o ciiic:c:cc |ctwcc: t|c iugcs o:
232 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
t|c |sc:cc oi iugcs cu:i:g t|c Guli W: :c lc:iclcss ciscou:sc |ustii,i:g
t|c lcloo::csi: W:, t|c:c is :o :cw |ou:c:, |ctwcc: t|c ctul :c
t|c :cl i cou:sc, t|is is :ot t|c suc t|i:g s s,i:g t|t t|csc w:s co:t
cxist
Wc uust cou:gcousl, |cgi: wit| t|c icc t|t wc scc :ot|i:g oi w:
A:c t|t, s :csult, its cxistc:cc, |ust s uuc| s t|c ositio:s wc t|c |out
its cxistc:cc, is c:w: i:ou |st:ct cccisio:s, oliticl xious li wc scc
:ot|i:g, wc uust t|i:| wit|out scci:g, w|ic| s:ctio:s ou: scci:g t|i:gs,
i:ou tiuc to tiuc, |, c|:cc, o: i: t|c |sc:cc oi w|t is |ci:g s|ow:
I|us, it c: couc to ss t|t i: iugcs oi t|c :st o: scco:c ctcgo:ics
iugcs t|t :c cit|c: coulctcl, i:sig:ic:t o: coulctcl, :og:cistic
: clcuc:t csccs i:ou t|c :otocols co:t:ol ovc: t|c ci:cultio: :occss
I|c:c is : iuu:c:t cxccss oi t|c iugc ovc: its ow: ccsti:tio:
I|c, io: cxulc, t|c :isi:g oi : Auc:ic: g, itc: scvc:l c,s oi
cou|t, ovc: sull l:qi o:t I|is iugc |s two c|:ctc:istics li:st, it
sig:ics t|c scizu:c oi t|c o:t |, t|c i:vci:g :u, w|c:, t t|c tiuc t|c
iugc ws ciiiuscc, t|c o:t ws still, io: t|c uost :t, i: t|c |:cs oi t|c
l:qis I|is is t,icl oi t|c lics tolc |, iugcs oi t|c scco:c ctcgo:, lut
uo:c iuo:t:t t|: t|c |ou::listic |lu:cc: is w|t it us|s t|c iugc is i:
ict oliticll, |c:::t, si:cc it s|ows t|t wc :c i: t|c uicst oi w: oi
co:qucst o: occutio:, :c :ot t|c w: oi li|c:tio: t|c Auc:ic:s cliucc
to |c g|ti:g l: t|c c:c wc coulc s, t|t t|is iugc, i:soi: s it is : c::o:
i:tc::l to its :og:cistic ccsti:tio:, is :cl l, cxcccci:g t|c :otocol
su::ou:ci:g its ccuo:st:tio:, t|c iugc |olcs : i:volu:t:, i:guc:t oi
t:ut|
A:ot|c: cxulc t|c |:oc ci:cultio: oi t|c :st sccc| |, ccu
lussci:, :ig|t itc: t|c co:ict |cg: I|c ict t|t t|c sccc| ws |c:c |,
cvc:,o:c u|cs it t,icl oi t|c :st ctcgo:, A:c ,ct it iuuccitcl, c:ctcs
t|c iccli:g oi wo::out owc:, lccc: coulctcl, i:c|lc oi co:vc,i:g
vi|lc t:iotic c:c:g, i: t|c icc oi io:cig: i:vsio: li, i: t|c :st cxulc
;t|c ,i:g oi : Auc:ic: g ovc: : l:qi tow:,, t|c iugc is i: iuu:c:t
cxccss oi its scco:c ctcgo:, iu:ctio:, i: t|c scco:c, t|c i:c:ti oi t|c iugc
;:c oi t|c sccc|, cclivc:cc i: ccictcc, gloou:iccc: to:c, iils its
iu:ctio: s : iugc oi t|c :st ctcgo:, to |:cc: t|c cctc:ui:tio: oi t|c
w:s :otgo:ists io: ll ucic:ccs A:c to suc| : cxtc:t t|t wc coulc,
|iz::cl,, vicw it s : iugc oi t|c scco:c ctcgo:,, i|:ictcc |, t|c
Auc:ic:s I|is vcilltio: |ctwcc: ctcgo:ics c:ctcs t:ut| ciicct
:cc ositio: :cg:ci:g t|c w: |s |cc: xiouticll, cctc:ui:cc, t|c
:otocol su::ou:ci:g |ow iugcs :c :cc uust |c ucc :ot so uuc| i:
iu:ctio: oi t|ci: ctcgo:, ;1, !, o: !,, |ut i: iu:ctio: oi w|t i: : iugc
is :cc|lc, w|t is cxccssivc, w|t is uissi:g visvis t|c cisl, :otocol
i:ou w|ic| t|c iugcs cu:tc
I|c :coxicl :csult is t|t oitc: i|:ictcc iugc is uo:c :cl t|:
THE AME RI CAN WAR AGAI NST I RAQ 233
:clistic iugc I|is is |ccusc t|c vluc oi w: iugc cocs:t lic i: its
ccit, to :c:csc:t lt cc:ivcs i:ou t|t scct oi t|c iugc t|t givcs t|c
lic to o: u|cs cxlicit t|c :otocol oi |ow it is |ci:g ci:cultcc l: t|c c:c,
t|is li:|s t|c iugc to t|c ciiic:c:t oliticl xious |, w|ic| w: is t|oug|t
:c :cticcc
+....o :c!.o1.
Wc :ccc to u:cc:st:c t|t i: t|c ciloutic :c uilit:, |isto:, oi t|c
D:itcc ttcs, t|c:c is :o co:t:cictio: |ctwcc: isoltio:isu :c i:tc:vc:
tio:isu Wc uig|t s, t|t t|c isoltio:isu is i:tc::l to t|c i:tc:vc:tio:isu,
i: s uuc| s t|c coucstic :i:cilc oi i:tc:cst ;couio:t, coui:tcs :, ot|c:
co:sicc:tio: I|c D:itcc ttcs is :cll, solit:, owc:, :c t|t is w|t
u|cs it i:c|lc oi c:cti:g : cui:c I|is is lso w|, its w, oi :clti:g
to situtio:s, ltc:cc t|:oug| |ittc: solitucc :c : i:|ilit, to u:cc:st:c
:,o:c w|o cxists clscw|c:c o: ciiic:c:tl,, quic|l, vcc:s i:to violc:t
|st:ctio:
I|c ict t|t t|c D:itcc ttcs cic:t |csittc to c:o : touic |ou| o:
li:os|iu :cui:s : i:ugu:l cvc:t W: io: Auc:ic:s ;w|o :c luost
lw,s t w:, :o lo:gc: :cll, |s :, icucl o: c|ivl:ic c|:ctc:, cvc: :
i:ic::cc o:c lt is :ot cvc: cilccticl co:i:o:ttio:, u:tou: cou|t
wit| : icc:ticc, vgucl, :cscctcc, cvc:s:, lt is, o: t|c co:t::, :c
t|c touic |ou| c:occ o: t|ous:cs oi :csc civili:s is its i:ig|tc:i:g
s,u|ol t|c uouc:t w|c: i:couuc:su:|ilit, cxists, w|c: :|cc owc:
w:c|s |voc o: :o:,uous i:ic:io: |ci:gs
I|c lcc w|c:c t|c D: s|oulc |c sc:ci:g g:ct :uu|c: oi i:sccto:s
is t|c D:itcc ttcs lo: its t|c D:itcc ttcs t|t :ot o:l, osscsscs vst
qu:tit, oi wco:s oi uss ccst:uctio:, |ut its lso t|c o:l, cou:t:, to usc
t|cu u u:til :ow o: g::c sclc, :c to t|:ctc: i:ou tiuc to tiuc
:cct c:io:u:cc
I|c gu:c oi owc: wit|out liuit, o: wit|out cou:|ilit, wit|
:ot|c: owc:, :u:s u gi:st t|c iollowi:g i:co:vc:ic:cc :, o|stclc, :c
cvc: :, tc:t cxtc:io:it, t|t tc:cc:till, cst|lis|cs liuit, uust |c
::i|iltcc to t|c oi:t oi ccst:o,i:g cvc: its cliu to cxist l: cc:ti: w,,
i:ou t|c oi:t oi vicw oi t|c i:vcc:s, t|c l:qis |o| ws t|t oi ccsig:ti:g
t|ci: ow: uilit:, :c oliticl :o:cxistc:cc lccll,, t|ci: tc::o: oi t|c
u:liuitcc owc: s|oulc |vc t::sio:ucc t|cu i:to : uo:|ous uss
wvi:g ti:, st:s :c st:ics, witi:g t|ci: li|c:to:s I|is is w|,, :cg:clcss
oi |ow liuitcc, t|c :csist:cc |, lt|ist uilitiuc: i: sout|c:: l:q
stou:ccc :ot o:l, t|c Auc:ic:s, |ut ll couuc:tto:s w|osc sc:vilit, to
tutcl:, ccuoc:c, |s |ccouc scco:c :tu:c
I|is gu:c woulc |vc |cc: oi i:tc:cst to lcgcl lo: its ciiic:c:t i:ou
t|c ustc:slvc cilcctic its :ot cou|t w|c:c t|c c:so: w|o givcs i:
234 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
:c t|c: |ccoucs t|c ot|c:s slvc is t|c o:c w|o ic:s cct| lowc:
u:gcc t|:oug| t|c :c:csc:ttio: oi its u:liuitcc c|:ctc: :cltcs to t|c
ot|c: u:cc: :ccictc oi :o:cxistc:cc I|colog,, i: t|is i:st:cc, is g:ct
|cl ccuo:izcc, cou:cc o:cc :c io: ll to ll t|c |isto:ic gu:cs oi lvil
;ccu lussci:, li|c \iloscvic, is litlc:, tli:, t:,, t|c cvc:s:, ills
i:to :ot|i:g:css, w|ic|, s |s |cc: cst|lis|cc |, cvc:, :icst i:ou t|c
outsct, is t|c cssc:cc oi lvil W: c: ccst:o, cvc:,t|i:g, si:cc t|osc it
ccst:o,s co:t |vc to |c c|:owlccgcc io: t|c owc:s oi gooc, t|c, |vc
s littlc :ig|t to cxist s lvil cocs io: Goc
I|is is w|, ssssi:tio: t|cs t|c lcc oi w:, o: w|, w:, i: t|c
c:c, |ccoucs o:l, sc:ics oi o|scu:c uu:cc:s I|us, i:ou t|c outsct,
|ou|s :c c:occ to |ill cu lussci: :c |is iuil,, o: |cio:c |iu,
su li: lcc: :c |is cl:, o: \iloscvic :c |is wiic |ust s i: :c|ic
vc:cctts Wc |:ow t|t t|c ls:clis, w|o lw,s gct lo:g wcll wit|
t|ci: Auc:ic: ustc:s ;:c ciscilcs,, |vc io: souc tiuc gottc: uscc to
vulg:l, uu:cc:i:g :, llcsti:i: t|c, co:t li|c u:cc: t|c :t|c: c,:icl
:uc oi o.. oo.o.c I|c t|colog, su::ou:ci:g t|c Auc:ic: coct:i:c
oi owc: :ouiscs to u:ivc:slizc t:gct ssssi:tio:s u:cc: t|c :uc oi
w:
I|c D:itcc ttcs i:vc:tcc violc:cc i: :cltio: to t|osc w|osc :o:cxis
tc:cc it osits llto woulc |vc ccvotcc su|tlc ciloguc to t|c :o|lcu oi
|ow to t|i:| t|c :c :c t|c :o:cxistc:t lut wc c: l:cc, :cic: to 1|.
to...1. I|c D:itcc ttcs is t|c :c t|t |s :o ot|c: A:c t|c :cs
uocc oi |ci:g is t|c ccst:uctio: oi t|c ot|c:, w|ic| is :ot ccst:uctio: |ut
li|c:tio:, si:cc t|c ot|c: cocs:t cxist li|c:tc t|c l:qis i:ou t|ci: cliu
to cxist, :ctu:: t|cu to t|c wcll|ci:g oi t|ci: :o:cxistc:cc t|is is t|c
si:itul cssc:cc oi t|c Auc:ic: W:
i.c.. +..|,!o :cstci
Dcc cow:, Auc:ic:s |clicvc t|ci: uost u::cso:|lc gg:cssio:s
;Aig|:ist:, l:q, ouli, u,|c l::, to |c lcgitiutcc |, t|ci: :ig|t
:ig|t t|c, lo:c osscss to vc:gc t|cusclvcs Io cc:ti: cxtc:t,
cvc:,t|i:g iollows i:ou t|c ict t|t cvc: t|c D: |s :ccog:izcc t|is :ig|t
|, cccl:i:g, i: t|c w|c oi t|c uss c:iucs oi ctcu|c: 11
t|
, t|t t|c
D:itcc ttcs ws . o o. c .!1...
listo:icll,, t|c D:itcc ttcs |:|o:s cultu:c oi vc:gc:cc Auc:ic:s
:cticc wit|out i:tc::utio: vc:, si:gul: cilcctic oi lw :c vc:gc:cc
t|t c: |c suuucc u li|c t|is lw o:g:izcs vc:gc:cc, suc| t|t ii t|c lw
is wc|c:cc, t|c: vc:gc:cc uust co wit|out it, si:cc it is t|c t:uc cssc:cc
oi t|c lw
THE AME RI CAN WAR AGAI NST I RAQ 235
I|is cilcctic is t t|c |sis oi |cci:g ;o: |:i:gi:g |c|, t|c cct|
sc:tc:cc i: t|t cou:t:,, |ust s it u:cc:lics t|c gig:tic s: oi its i:ic::l
:iso: s,stcu
: lu, t|c wcstc:: is t|c io:ul o:g:iztio: oi t|c cilcctic oi
vc:gc:cc : t|c o:c |:c, c:iuc uust |c u:is|cc i: t|c :uc oi t|c lw
t|c:c uust |c t:il, swc:i:g i: o: t|c li|lc, :c so io:t| lut o: t|c
ot|c: |:c, t|c lw is lw,s i:suicic:t w|c: it coucs to c:iucs so ocious,
villi:s so c:vc:tcc ;t|c ccu lussci: o: \iloscvic t,c, t|t lo:c u:
oi |usticc ;t|c gu:c oi t|c :c wit|out ot|c:, uust i:tc:vc:c to ssu:c t|c
co:ti:uit, oi t|c lw, |ust s t|c D:itcc ttcs :c its l:itis| ooclc uust
i:tc:vc:c to ic| u t|c icccs io: t|c owc:lcss D: I|is u: oi |usticc, |ust
li|c t|c Auc:ic: solcic:s, will |ill uo:c u:io:tu:tcs cu:i:g t|c cou:sc oi
t|c lu t|: t|c |c gu, will, |cio:c c:ci:g u t t|c :l cucl, w|c:c |c
:ll, s|oots t|c lttc: wit| |is t:ust, olt lut t|csc ccst:uctio:s, t|c t|
vc:gc:cc t|cs, :csto:c t|c lw i: its cssc:cc, w|ic| is :cciscl, t|t
vc:gc:cc |c |c o o, .c
I|c t,c oi u: :c t|c t,c oi :o|lcu c:gc:cc:cc |, t|is w, oi
loo|i:g t t|i:gs |s |cc: |:illi:tl, couoscc, :l,zcc, :c su|liutcc
i: t|c Auc:ic: :ovcl li ,ou w:t to u:cc:st:c t|c u:cc:l,i:g uotivtio:s,
,ou uust :cc \clvillcs i.!!, io11, io: cxulc, lul|:c:s 1|.
i.o., kusscll l:|s c!co1:!... l: t|c D:itcc ttcs, lw is su|o:ci:tcc
to :csto:tivc visio: oi o:cc: ;to o1 o.1.. s|oulc :cc to o o.1..,,
w|ic| ccu:cs |ovc ll t|t t|c :icc |c ic l: t|is w, vc:gc:cc is
t|c iou:ctio: oi lw, t|:oug| t|c uccitio: oi o:cc: Yct wc |:ow
t|t i: Acsc|,luss o....o t|c lw ;|usticc, : :gucc, u|lic t:il,
..!o.. vc:gc:cc, i: o:cc: t|t t|c o:cc: |c t|t oi civil ccc, :c :ot t|t
oi w:
lut t|c Auc:ic: o:cc: . t|t oi w:, |ot| civil w: ;t|c couctitio: oi
cvc:,o:c gi:st cvc:,o:c, :c io:cig: ;i:tc:vc:tio:ist .co. oi t|c wo:lc,
i: o:cc: to co:solictc t|c isoltio: oi owc:,
I|us, i: t|c uost i:tiutc su||cctivc cssc:cc oi t|c D:itcc ttcs, t|c:c
is souct|i:g :tc:io: to Acsc|,lus, c.|. cc...|
A l:otcst:t li|lc t|t |s :ot |cc: ltc:cc t|:oug| G:cc| |iloso|,
t|is is t|c Auc:ic: co:cctio: oi t|c lw Ioc,, Auc:ic iuoscs uo: us
its l:ct:, vc:cctt Wc will i:cvit|l, oosc it wit| t|c sc|cuc cv:ccc
|, i:t lul, w|ic| s,s t|is cc:ti:l,, lw wit|out its su||cctivc cctc:ui
:tio: is :ot|i:g lut vc:gc:cc cc:ivcc oi t|oug|t, t|c :ct:i|utivc su||cc
tivit, oi t|c victiu, is lcss t|: :ot|i:g
W|t cxists io: us is olitics, w|ic| is t|c :occss oi |usticc wit|out lw
o: vc:gc:cc lolitics cclivc:cc t lst i:ou :, uo:l iuc:ilisu, :,
uo:lit, t ll, |c it o||cctivc ;t|c lw, o: su||cctivc ;t|c :icc cxctcc |,
victius, ktio:l, i:tcllcctul olitics, o:c t|t gc:c:tcs ossi|ilitics
ouuu:ist, i: t|c gc:c:ic sc:sc oi t|c tc:u
236 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
Marseille, Chamber of the General Council (April 3,
2004)
i.. o1 i.,
I|c:c is st:tli:g co:t:st |ctwcc: t|c u:liuitcc :c:csc:ttio: oi owc:
:c t|c uo:c :c uo:c o|vious cuti:css oi its co:tc:t :ow t|t t|c
ccst:uctio: oi l:q s ttc, s cou:t:,, :c s colc is u:cc:w,, its
usciul to s|, i: t|c :uc oi w|t A:c ll t|c uo:c so w|c:, littlc |, littlc,
i:siciousl,, s|uciull,, |ou::listic :og:c |c:c i: l::cc, w|ic| ws io:
tiuc sicct:c|cc |, |i:cs coc|cooclccoo ;:cucu|c:, t|c, votcc io:
|iu i: \, !00!,, is :ll,i:g |c|i:c t|c o. o..c!. oi t|c w:, :c t|c
stuic Y:|cc victo:,
Ycs, :c i: t|c :uc oi w|t W|t is t|c D:itcc ttcs :oosi:g to t|c
wo:lc lts i:|ilit, to c:ctc :cw vlucs, o: to t::svlutc t|c olc o:cs ;s
:ictzsc|c woulc |vc sic, is tc:t lus|s Gooc ccsig:tcs t|c violc:t
cuti:css oi co:sc:vtisu lvc: t|c lsluist :oositio:, w|osc o|vious
coulicit, wit| t|c Auc:ic: cuti:css lvc tl|cc |out clscw|c:c, is
:cvc:t|clcss :ticultcc o: scu|l:cc oi t::scc:cc:cc, :c o: :ulcs
cou:c|c:si|lc |, t|osc t|t t|c lccc:s oi t|c l::i: :cvolutio: cllcc t|c
cisi:|c:itcc i: w|osc c,cs wcstc:: i:cccou is :ot|i:g |ut t|c lu:c oi
i:tolc:|lc luxu:,
I|is is t|c o:goi:g cisstc: oi t|c u:liuitcc it is li|c t|c ilsc i::it, oi
w|ic| o:l, t|c c:vcloc oi owc: cxists lowc: s t|c cuti:css oi t|c lcc
t|is is t|c :i:cilc oi t|c :vgcs u:cc: :c:tio:
i!.|.. o1 ...!..
l:ou t|is oi:t o:, w|t is t|c :i:cilc ts| oi t|oug|t :c ctio: lcts s,
t|t it is c .c1o.. c. .o.o.c .c |. o!...1 c..
I|is u:|s u|o: ciiic:c:cc wit| t|c c:ioc t|t :cccccc it, t|c
ostw: Du:i:g t|c ostw:, t|c:c ws i: ict souc :csc:tio:, souc
l:cc, co:stitutcc sc:tio:, i: t|c io:u oi socilisu, t|c socilist cu,
\:xisu, t|c :cvolutio:, t|c wo:|i:g clss :o uttc: |ow ooscc ,ou
wc:c to t|c Dk, to tli:isu, to lc:i:isu, :o uttc: |ow uuc| ,ou
:cc|cc :cuocclcc \:xisu, o: sociologizcc t|c uuttio:s oi t|c
wo:|i:g clss, :o uttc: |ow uuc| ,ou w:tcc :cw |i:c oi :t, ,ou
wc:c still i: t|c .!.. oi :cco:stitutcc sc:tio: i:ou t|c iuc:il
owc: I|c ict ws t|t, o: t|c wo:lc sclc, t|c:c cxistcc oc|.. c./!.,
oliticll,, t t|c lcvcl oi t|c sttc
Ioc,, o: t|c ot|c: |:c, t|c oliticll, ossi|lc uust :ovc its ossi|il
it, I|c tiuc is st io: cisg:cci:g |out t|c co:citio:s |, w|ic| ossi|lc
coulc |c c|icvcc, its |out ...o. |. c./!. ..! W|ic| c::ot |c co:c,
THE AME RI CAN WAR AGAI NST I RAQ 237
it uust |c cuittcc, cxcct |, usi:g t|c utc:il oi w|t is couuo:l, |clc
to |c |solutcl, iuossi|lc
I|is is w|, sc:ti:g oii i:ou t|c clius oi u:liuitcc owc: t|cs t|c
io:u oi u:c c:ctio: A: |isto:icl cxulc oi suc| c:ctio: cxists t|c
cig|tcct| cc:tu:,, w|c: l:c:c|, l:itis|, :c t|c: Gc:u: |iloso|c:s |c
to c:ctc t|c co:citio:s io: t|oug|ts :cicl sc:tio: w, i:ou t|c i::itc
clius oi :cligio: t|c cxulc, i: s|o:t, oi t|c l:lig|tc:uc:t
Io suo:t t|c cxc:iuc:t oi :cw icc oi olitics, |iloso|, is
:cso:si|lc io: i:vc:ti:g t|c l:lig|tc:uc:t wc :c lc|i:g A: l:lig|tc:uc:t
t|t sc:tcs w, i:ou t|c ccuoc:tic liuitlcss:css oi owc: A: l:lig|t
c:uc:t t|t clius io: itscli, gi:st t|c :cgtivc i::it, oi ttc owc: :c
its i:tc::tio:l :liuc:t:iztio:, w|ic| o:l, covc: ovc:, u:cc: t|c t,cs
oi wcstc:: couio:t, t|c cuti:css oi t|c lcc, : i:utio: t|t is itscli
i::itc, |ut ositivc, oi t|c totll, uto:ouous cclo,uc:t oi olitics s
:cticct|oug|t A olitics, it gocs wit|out s,i:g, t|t is l:lig|tc:cc
i:suuc| s it is i:ccc i:ou t|c cu:sc oi :uu|c: :c :c:csc:ttio: A olitics
i: t|is sc:sc iu:cuc:tll, :o:ccuoc:tic, :o::tis:, :c t|us u:ivc:
sll, oc: to |ci:g :cticcc |, cvc:,o:c, |c:c :c :ow A olitics o:l,
ccou:t|lc to itscli, :c ttc:tivc to its :occss lo:c
:c oi t|c ui: lcsso:s wc c: lc:: i:ou t|c two cisoccs i: w|ic|
|i:c l,cc t|c :olc oi i:volu:t:, |c:o t|c iuostu:c oi |is clcctio: |,
t|c ccictcc lcit o: \, ., !00!, :c |is oositio:l lst st:c t t|c D:
|cio:c t|c st:t oi t|c w: is t|t t|c :liuc:t:, uoccl oi ccuoc:c,,
to w|ic| l c:so:ll, |vc sc:i|cc :o vluc w|tsocvc: si:cc \, o
;llcctio:s, t:s io: ss|olcs,, is :cvclcc o||cctivcl, to |c wo:: cow: to
t|c |o:c, i:c|lc oi io:uulti:g :, :i:cilc t ll lcts s, t|t ttc
ccuoc:c, is :o lo:gc: :,t|i:g |ut sccc| cclivc:cc i:ou t|c ociuu
gi:st :, cvc: slig|tl, sc:ious l::i:g oi cu:citio:
lut it is t:uc t|t t|c lols|cvi| uoccl oi ut|o:it,, ii wc uc: |, t|t
t|c i:o: ciscili:c oi t|c l:t,, |s lso livcc out its liictiuc lt ws
co:suucc |, ttc tc::o:isu t|t, i: t|c Dk, cx|ustcc cvc: t|c colc
w|o wc:c i: c|:gc oi it
I|c l:lig|tc:uc:t, w|osc givc:s wc :c slowl, sscu|li:g, illuui:tcs
t|c i:vc:tio: oi t| t|t is :cit|c: ttc ccuoc:c, ;:liuc:t:i:isu,
uultilc :tics,, :o: ttc |u:cuc:c, ;socilisu, si:glc :t,,
I|c ciicult qucstio: is t|t oi ciscili:c li it is :cit|c: t|t oi :tics,
:o: t|t oi t|c :t,, :o: t|c ccic:sivc co:sc:sus oi couio:t, |ow is it
co:stitutcc lcts s, t|t it is |out 1...!.. c |. ..o! lcolc w|o |vc
:ot|i:g, :cit|c: uilit:il, :o: ::cill,, |vc :o st:c:gt| cxcct i: t|ci:
totl ciscili:c oi ctio: :c t|oug|t w|ic| s i: ut|cutics is icc:ticl
to totl li|c:t,, |solutc c:ctio: I|c iuo:t:t t|i:g is t|t ciscili:c |c
iuoscc, :ot visvis t|c io:us oi : :tus ;si:cc t|c: wc woulc :cui:
i: ttc ciscili:c, w|ic| toc, uc:s t|c cisstc: oi u:liuitcc:css, |ut
238 CONTE MPORARY F RE NCH AND F RANCOPHONE STUDI E S
visvis :cl :o|lcu to |c solvcc ;o:cc gi:, s i: ut|cutics, uc| is
t|c :cl co:tc:t oi :, cxc:iuc:t t|t is llicc wit| t|c sccultivc cv:cc
oi t|c l:lig|tc:uc:t As :cst:i:cc s it uig|t |c, ctio: u|cs itscli i::itc
|, cctou:i:g t|:oug| t|oug|t t|t solvcs, i: : o:g:izcc w,, :ccisc
oliticl :o|lcu, w|c:c : u:cxcctcc ossi|lc is cxt:ctcc i:ou : iuos
si|lc utc:il lc:c gi:, t|c ut|cuticl :cigu c: |c oi usc
coulctcl, :cw, wicc::gi:g t|co:, cuc:gcs w|c: t|oug|t co:cc:t:tcs o:
:o|lcu w|osc io:uultio: u, c: coulctcl, si:gul:, o: cvc:
cxt:o:ci::il, :::ow A:, :cutu:c |:occ:i:g oi c:scctivc cilutcs
t|oug|ts ciscili:c :c its owc: oi sc:tio: i: ccuoc:tic gloss
lssio: :c tc:cit, tow:c solvi:g :o|lcu, |cgi::i:g wit| t|c
:i:cilcs t|t illuui:tc its solutio:, u:itcc, oul: io:cc ;:c cvc:, c:c
wc usc t|is wo:c gi:, :olct:i: io:cc, t|is is t|c lo:c t| io: i::itc
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Alain Badiou teaches philosophy at the Ecole Normale Superieure. His
publications include LEtre et levenement (Seuil, 1988) and Manifeste pour la
philosophie (Seuil, 1989). Among his books to appear recently in English
translation are Saint Paul: The Foundation of Universalism (Seuil, 1988) (Stan-
ford University Press, 2003), and Ethics: An Essay on the Understanding of Evil
(Verso, 2002).