> I would still like to say that Zizek's analysis seems to me to be an example
of the overextension of psychoanalytic approaches to politics.
I didn't notice much psychoanalysis there. Basically, he's saying that polls are political, and that this shouldn't be underestimated. For instance, if we conducted a poll right here on LBO asking how many people loved Zizek's work, and the number came back really really high (doubtful, but bear with me), the more likely one might stop to ask, "Why does everyone love him so much? There must be something wrong." And then pick his work up again with a critical eye, thus potentially reversing the initial position retroactively. In effect, the poll brings about its own reversal.
This happens *all the time* --> Have you ever become more critical of something once it achieves some degree of success? "Oh yeah, there was this band, Bare Naked Ladies from Canada, really great stuff!" Then, when it hits the American charts, "I hate those guys! I always hated those guys - total sell-outs." Chomsky, Nader, Klein, Moore... we love to hate them because they have an audience. Prior to anyone reading their work, it was a secret treasure.
poll that.
ken