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Revolutionary Pessimism

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Scott B. Ritner argues that the antifascist philosopher and mystic Simone Weil's critical writings about the social crises of the mid-twentieth century, especially fascism, are particularly instruc...
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  • 24 November 2026
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Scott B. Ritner argues that the antifascist philosopher and mystic Simone Weil's critical writings about the social crises of the mid-twentieth century, especially fascism, are particularly instructive for today. Now, as then, liberal democratic capitalist states are under threat from authoritarian leaders and fascist movements. Situating Weil and her work in the tradition of pessimistic critical theory, Ritner reveals how Weil's work can be understood as participating in an ongoing project critique of capitalist and liberal, neoliberal, and fascist modes of domination. This novel interpretation of Weil's work argues for reading her combined anarchist, Marxian, anti-racist, anti-colonial, and Platonic approaches to political thought holistically alongside her mystical Christianity and Judaism as a singular antifascist project in which pessimism is given political prominence. Taking up Weil's critiques of the State, the organization of labor, the use and effects of violence, and the ideology of revolution, Ritner mobilizes Weil's idiosyncratic antifascist politics towards a conceptual framework he calls "revolutionary pessimism"—defined as root-and-branch political action without expectation. As Ritner persuades, the revolutionary pessimism perceivable in Weil's writing can reorient antifascism from a defensive political posture to an offensive posture of generative permanent revolt.

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Price: $30.00
Pages: 206
Publisher: Stanford University Press
Imprint: Stanford University Press
Series: Square One: First-Order Questions in the Humanities
Publication Date: 24 November 2026
Trim Size: 9.00 X 6.00 in
ISBN: 9781503649118
Format: Paperback
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"We now have, at last, a careful and original reading of Simone Weil's anti-fascist politics. This is a necessary work of political theory."—Benjamin P. Davis, author of Simone Weil's Political Philosophy

"Politics in dark times is often undertaken with no expectation of success, hoping when even hope is gone. Ritner draws on the work of antifascist theologian, philosopher, and soldier Simone Weil to guide us through these times of frustration and despair, toward a radical reconfiguration of our work in the world."—Anne Norton, author of Wild Democracy
Scott B. Ritner teaches Political Theory at University of Colorado Boulder. He served as President (2022-2025) and Vice President (2019-2022) of the American Weil Society.