Introduction. The Problem of Emancipation and Emancipation as a Problem

Abstract

The introduction to this monographic section devoted to emancipation starts from the recognition of the return of the lemma in the theoretical-political debate, investigating the oscillation between the individual and the collective that is inherent to the modern semantics of the concept. After a brief historical reconstruction, this oscillation is analysed with reference to neo-liberalism, which adopts a specific individualistic conception of emancipation. Finally, the return of the concept following neoliberalism is discussed, starting with some attempts revolving around the problem of intersectionality, to rethink the riddle of collective emancipation today.