Regressive Illusions: Contemporary Reflections on Theory and Politics

It is not false consciousness that is bad, in itself, but rather the regressive impulses it creates politically, socially and morally.

Illusions are part of our everyday lives - but it depends what kind of illusions are navigating us through our predicaments. Drawing on insights from critical theory and psychoanalysis, Florian Maiwald explores how multiple interconnected challenges force us to confront the illusions sustaining our societal norms. Maiwald argues that as collective illusions of progress crumble, we are not responding with innovative solutions but retreating into what he terms ’regressive illusions’: backward-looking fantasies that quite often masquerade as progressive ideals. These illusions lead us not towards a brighter future but back into the shadows of the past. This book critically examines various manifestations of these regressive tendencies, including the rise of far-right politics, the contradictions of ’woke capitalism, ’ and the decay of utopian thinking in the age of AI. Maiwald weaves together insights from philosophy, critical theory, and psychoanalysis to expose the underlying mechanisms of our current social and political malaise. More than a mere critique, Regressive Illusions advocates for understanding the necessity of certain illusions while calling for a renewed capacity for critical thinking in the face of crisis.

Florian Maiwald is a German philosopher and currently teaches at the University of Bonn. He holds a PhD in Philosophy. In addition to numerous academic articles, he also publishes political articles and philosophical essays in popular media such as Sublation Magazine, Jacobin or ABC Australia. He lives in Bonn, Germany.