A teoria política do discurso de Ernesto Laclau e Chantal Mouffe

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze how discourse can politically operate in the process of radicalizing democracy, exploring the theoretical contributions of Ernesto Laclau (1935-2014) and Chantal Mouffe (1943-) in their seminal work Hegemony and Socialist Strategy: Towards a Radical Democratic Politics, published in 1985. Laclau and Mouffe's proposal is grounded in the idea that the construction of hegemony is a discursive process, where the articulation of social and political demands is crucial for the formation of collective identities and political mobilization. The article also incorporates contemporary discussions and reflections from authors who engage with the political theory of the two thinkers, especially in the Brazilian context. By examining the radicalization of democracy, the research focuses on how political discourses shape democratic practices and citizen participation, highlighting the importance of pluralism and contestation. In this way, it seeks to understand the power dynamics that emerge in public spaces, as well as the discursive strategies that can strengthen radical democracy, contributing to greater inclusion and representativeness in the political sphere.