Which strands of psychoanalytic thinking might be activated today to both interpret contemporary forms of fascism – seen most readily in far-right movements and authoritarian politics but elsewhere as well – and offer avenues of thought and practice toward non-fascist formations?

This roundtable considers which literatures of psychoanalysis, broadly construed, are most relevant to the social and political circumstances of the present moment, with an emphasis on what recuperations of psychoanalytic thought could further projects of what Michel Foucault called “non-fascist life.”

We welcome contributions that draw attention to underappreciated texts and moments in the history of psychoanalysis as well as contributions that focus on theorizations that hybridize psychoanalytic thought with other critical traditions and forms of inquiry.

This ‘guaranteed' session, pre-approved by MLA, will appear on the 2025 program. We invite interested participants to submit a 250-word abstract and short CV for consideration.