Peter Engelmann & Alain Badiou 
Philosophy and the Idea of Communism 
Alain Badiou in conversation with Peter Engelmann

In a well-known text called ‘The Communist
Hypothesis’, first published in 2007, the renowned
philosopher Alain Badiou breathed fresh life into the idea of
communism as an intellectual representation that provides a
critical perspective on existing politics and offers a systemic
alternative to capitalism.

Now, in the course of this wide-ranging conversation with Peter
Engelmann, Alain Badiou explains why he continues to value the idea
of communism against the background of current social crises and
despite negative historical experiences. From the anticipation of a
communism without a state to the problem of the concept of
democracy and an analysis of capitalism as a system, the two
thinkers discuss the key political issues of our time. Whilst
explaining his political philosophy, Badiou also reflects on
current socio-political developments such as the turmoil in the
Middle East and the situation in China.

This compelling dialogue is both a highly topical contribution
to the question of how we might organize our societies differently
and an accessible introduction to Badiou’s philosophical
thinking.

About the author

Alain Badiou is a writer, philosopher and an Emeritus
Professor at the École Normale Supérieure, Paris.

Peter Engelmann is a German philosopher, editor and founder
of the publishing house Passagen Verlag.