Renowned critical theorist Susan Buck-Morss argues convincingly that a global public needs to think past the twin insanities of terrorism and counter-terrorism in order to dismantle regressive intellectual barriers. Surveying the widespread literature on the relationship of Islam to modernity, she reveals that there is surprising overlap where scholars commonly and simplistically see antithesis. Thinking Past Terror situates this engagement with the study of Islam among critical contemporary discourses—feminism, post-colonialism and the critique of determinism.

Reminding us powerfully that domination and consensus are maintained not by the lack of opposing ideas but by the disorganization of dissent, Thinking Past Terror presents the empowering idea of a global counter-culture as a very real possibility. If the language of a global, radically cosmopolitan Left is not presumed but its attainment struggled for, if the Leftist project is itself this struggle, then democracy defines its very core.

“Buck-Morss has written a wonderful book.” — Herbert Muschamp, Artforum

Praise for previous books

“Buck-Morss’s efforts to salvage the revolutionary critique of capitalism deserve both celebration and critical engagement.” — Nick Stone, Radical Philosophy

“Buck-Morss has written a wonderful book. Although rigorously analytic, the book doesn’t sacrifice those qualities in Benjamin’s writing that are not reducible to method.” — Herbert Muschamp, Artforum

“I for one will never look at King Kong, or Lenin, in the same way again.” — Lynn Mally, Slavic Review