Summary
Slavoj Žižek: Happiness no longer smiles...
The book of essays by Slavoj Žižek Happiness no longer smiles... includes articles that the planetary philosopher wrote for portals in the past few years to express his reaction to the key political crises of the contemporary world. Writing about the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, protests in Serbia, the release of Julian Assange, the strengthening of the right in Europe and the crisis of democracy, Žižek reveals the mechanisms of ideological manipulation in the media and politics. His speech at the 2023 Frankfurt Book Fair caused a scandal because, in addition to condemning violence against Israel, he insisted that the Palestinian voice be heard. In an essay on student protests in Serbia (2025), he praised their ethics and refusal to conform to existing political structures. He connects the issue of anti-Semitism, religion, ecological panic and false civility to the broader crises of capitalism. Žižek's conclusions are not always unambiguous - they are often paradoxical - but they lead the reader to a deeper reflection on how we talk about war, law, justice and freedom in a world that is increasingly losing faith in the truth.
Biblos Newsletter
New titles, special copies and quiet recommendations from the antiquarian bookshop.