Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to explore the implications of a psychoanalytic concept of autonomy for political theorizing. The concept of autonomy is developed on the basis of an examination of the post-Freudian psychoanalytic approach known as 'object relations'. Using object relations theory the author argues that autonomy presupposes firstly, mutual caring between individuals, and secondly, the involvement of individuals in collective pursuits in which all have the opportunity to make rules. This notion of autonomy is used to evaluate the political theories of J. Rawls and J. Habermas. With respect to the former, the author argues that, contrary to Rawls' claims, the two Rawlsian principles of justice fail to promote autonomy in society. This is because the equal liberty principle undermines mutuality, and the difference principle conflicts with the requirement of equal participation. ;The object relational conception is also used to evaluate Habermas' claim that the route to autonomy is through the autonomy affirming consensus created by free communication. In opposition to this it is argued that free communication per se does not promote consensus; instead consensus only comes about on the basis of specific non-linguistic factors, specifically, an interest in mutuality. ;An alternative theory of consensus, based on the need for mutuality, is offered. According to this theory, consensus on a society-wide scale requires the participation of individuals in a collective process of decision-making . It is argued that collective value revision presupposes an egalitarian participatory notion of community. The idea of community proposed here represents a synthesis between object relational ideas on cultural life and Marx's ideas on democracy in the Paris Commune. It is maintained that collective value revision under these conditions affirms the autonomy of individuals in society