Chains of Desire: Unraveling the Interconnected Crises of Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism

Jacques Lacan, a prominent French psychoanalyst and philosopher, offers a framework through which one can analyze the interconnectivity and unsustainability of colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism. Lacan’s theories on desire, the Symbolic order, and the concept of the Other provide a useful lens for understanding these interconnected systems.

The Interconnectivity of Colonialism, Nationalism, Imperialism, and Capitalism

Desire and the Other: Lacan’s concept of desire is deeply tied to the notion of the Other. Desire is not just a simple want but a fundamental lack that drives human behavior, rooted in the unconscious. Colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism can be seen as expressions of collective desires, often framed in relation to an Other. In colonialism and imperialism, the colonizers project their desires onto the colonized, seeing them as exotic Others to be dominated, exploited, or “civilized.” This process is mirrored in capitalism, where the consumer’s desire is perpetually unfulfilled, driving endless consumption and exploitation of resources and labor.

The Symbolic Order: According to Lacan, is the realm of language, law, and social structures. It is through the Symbolic that identities and social roles are constructed. Nationalism is heavily reliant on the Symbolic order, as it constructs a narrative of a unified national identity, often in opposition to other nations or ethnic groups. Capitalism operates within the Symbolic order by creating and perpetuating the myth of the free market and individual success, which in turn supports imperialist and colonial enterprises. These narratives justify economic exploitation and territorial expansion as natural or inevitable outcomes of competition and progress.

Alienation and Unsustainability: Lacanian theory posits that the subject is always-already alienated by their entry into the Symbolic order. This alienation is exacerbated in capitalist societies where individuals are reduced to consumers or commodities. This sense of alienation is also present in colonial and imperial contexts, where the colonized are alienated from their culture, land, and even their sense of self. The unsustainability of these interconnected systems arises from the inherent contradictions and the persistent sense of lack and alienation they produce. In capitalism, the drive for infinite growth clashes with finite resources, leading to economic and ecological crises. In colonialism and imperialism, the subjugation and exploitation of peoples create persistent conflict and resistance, undermining the stability of these systems.

Lacanian Critique of the Systems

Colonialism and Imperialism: Lacan would critique colonialism and imperialism as systems that perpetuate a fundamental misrecognition (méconnaissance). The colonizers misrecognize the colonized as inferior Others, justifying exploitation and domination. This misrecognition is sustained by the Symbolic order, which legitimizes these power structures through law, language, and ideology.

Nationalism: From a Lacanian perspective, can be seen as an attempt to create a coherent identity (a “whole” subject) out of the fragmented reality of the Symbolic order. However, this attempt is always doomed to fail because the wholeness it seeks is an illusion. Nationalism thus leads to exclusion and xenophobia, as it tries to purify the national identity by excluding the Other.

Capitalism: Lacan’s analysis of capitalism would focus on how it exploits desire by creating an endless cycle of lack and fulfillment. Capitalism promises satisfaction through consumption, but because desire is insatiable, this satisfaction is always deferred, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction and overconsumption. This cycle is unsustainable as it leads to social and environmental degradation.

Lacan’s philosophies reveal the deep interconnectivity between colonialism, nationalism, imperialism, and capitalism, all of which are driven by complex structures of desire, the Symbolic order, and the fundamental alienation of the subject. These systems are unsustainable because they are built on inherent contradictions and misrecognitions that lead to continuous conflict, exploitation, and ultimately, systemic collapse. Lacan’s insights thus provide a critical framework for understanding the perpetuation and potential dissolution of these interconnected systems.

Who is Jacques Lacan?

Jacques Lacan was a French psychoanalyst and psychiatrist who is most famous for his reinterpretation of the work of Sigmund Freud. Lacan’s philosophical focus can be broadly categorized into several key concepts that have had a significant influence on various fields, including psychoanalysis, philosophy, literature, and cultural studies. Here are some of the primary areas of Lacan’s philosophical focus:

The Unconscious Structured Like a Language: Lacan posited that the unconscious is structured similarly to language, governed by the rules of metaphor and metonymy. This idea underscores the importance of linguistic analysis in understanding the unconscious mind.

The Mirror Stage: This concept describes the stage in early childhood when a child first identifies their reflection in a mirror as themselves. Lacan argued that this moment is crucial in the formation of the ego and the development of self-identity, as it introduces the child to the Imaginary order, where the ego is constituted through images.

The Real, the Imaginary, and the Symbolic: Lacan’s triadic model is fundamental to his theory. The Real refers to what is outside language and cannot be articulated; the Imaginary pertains to images and illusions, including the formation of the ego; and the Symbolic involves language, laws, and social structures that govern human relationships.

Desire and Lack: Lacan emphasized that human desire is always rooted in a sense of lack. This desire is never fully satisfied because it is always directed towards an unattainable object, which he called the “objet petit a” (object little-a).

The Split Subject: Lacan argued that the subject (the individual) is fundamentally divided. This split is between the conscious and unconscious mind and is mediated by language and social structures.

Relevance to Global Politics

Lacan’s theories provide a rich framework for analyzing global politics today for several reasons:

Ideology and Subjectivity: Lacan’s notion that the unconscious is structured like a language can help to unpack how political ideologies shape and are shaped by collective unconscious processes. Understanding how political subjects are constituted through language and symbols can illuminate how ideologies gain traction and influence.

Identity and Nationalism: The mirror stage and the concept of the Imaginary are useful for understanding how national and group identities are formed. This is particularly relevant in an age of rising nationalism and identity politics, where the construction of the “Other” plays a crucial role.

Desire and Political Movements: Lacan’s ideas about desire and lack can be applied to analyze why certain political movements gain momentum. Political promises often hinge on addressing perceived lacks within society, and understanding this can provide insight into voter behaviour and the rise of populist movements.

Power and Social Structures: Lacan’s concept of the Symbolic order, which encompasses language, laws, and social norms, can be used to critique and understand power structures in global politics. It highlights how power is maintained through symbolic means and the role of language in sustaining authority.

The Real and Political Crises: Lacan’s idea of the Real, which resists symbolization and is associated with traumatic events, can help analyze how societies deal with crises such as wars, natural disasters, and economic collapses. These events often disrupt the Symbolic order, leading to profound political and social upheavals.

Overall, Lacan’s work provides a lens through which to examine the deeper psychological and structural dimensions of global political phenomena, offering insights that go beyond traditional political analysis.

Additionally Readings:

Lacan, J. (1957). The instance of the letter in the unconscious, or reason since Freud. Écrits: A selection (A. Sheridan, Trans., pp. 146-178). W. W. Norton & Company.

Lacan, J. (2006). Écrits: The first complete edition in English (B. Fink, Trans.). W. W. Norton & Company.