Critical theory in crisis? a reconsideration

The recent rise of populism has generated a resurgence interest in critical theory, the wider public debate and academia—with theory being variously accused paving way for post-truth politics, hailed as explaining populism, or criticized failing to achieve its emancipatory political goals. Failure latter kind, many International Relations scholars argue, calls fundamental reform if it is address current developments. Investigating this claim, article makes three contributions: First, an empirical account shows that, far from failing, been politically highly successful. Second, theoretical reconstruction that precisely success leads alienation theorists their own approach. In light analysis, third, concludes task times Brexit Trump does not lie abandoning core principles but systematically applying them new historical conjuncture.