New Books in Critical Theory Eric Heinze, "Coming Clean: The Rise of Critical Theory and the Future of the Left" (MIT Press, 2025)
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May 16, 2025 In this discussion, Eric Heinze, Professor of Law and Humanities at Queen Mary University of London and author of 'Coming Clean', tackles the pressing need for the left to engage in self-scrutiny. He argues that acknowledging historical injustices is crucial, but leftists must also confront their own past support for authoritarian regimes. Rich topics include the left's reaction to the Ukraine conflict, how identity politics shape modern discourse, and the complexity of historical narratives. Heinze pushes for a new brand of 'wokeness' that advocates for transparency and accountability.
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Turning Critical Theory Inward
- Critics of critical theory often don't engage with its self-critical potential.
- Heinze urges turning critical theory's lens inward for deeper societal progress.
Critical Theory’s Diverse Mosaic
- Critical theory is a mosaic of diverse, sometimes conflicting strands.
- It includes critical race, feminism, postcolonial, queer theories and intersectionality.
Critical Theory's Redefinition of History
- Critical theory radically redefined history from civic pride to collective self-scrutiny.
- It aims to expose systemic injustices hidden in traditional historical narratives.