The Monstrous and the Dead Burke, Marx and Fascism

The Monstrous and the Dead examines the use of metaphors of monstrosity and death in political theory, specifically in relation to conservatism, Marxism and fascism. Beginning with an analysis of the use of metaphor in general in political philosophy, and Hobbes use of monstrous metaphor in Leviathan, Mark Neocleous then shows how Burke's political theory is predicated on fear and terror of the monstrous proletarian mob.

Neocleous also discusses the image of the vampire in Marx's work, especially in relation to the concept of dead labour and capital. The final chapter looks at Heidegger and Schmitt's work on Hobbes, and is an innovative reading of fascism as an ideology of death, particularly in terms of its reliance on ideas of blood, purity and racial monstrosity.

Mark Neocleous is Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at Brunel University. He is author of a number of books as well as numerous articles dealing with issues in political philosophy and political theory.