Abstract
ABSTRACT This article provides a critical reading of Giorgio Agamben’s writings on the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown measures imposed by Western states. Taking the theme of fear to be central to Agamben’s interventions on this topic, it constructs a genealogy of the political theology of fear through The Book of Job to Thomas Hobbes and up to the work of Agamben. Contrary to readings which treat Agamben’s pandemic texts as examples of conspiracy theorizing, this article takes them seriously as works of political thought. Nonetheless, they ultimately fall victim to their own politics of fear: what Michel Foucault has termed ‘state-phobia’. Against this state-phobia, the article turns to Antonio Negri’s reading of The Book of Job in order to gesture towards a politics of solidarity grounded in a shared understanding of suffering which overcomes the weaknesses of Agamben’s interventions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
