Thematic presentation

Abstract

Writing the introduction to articles by different authors is both a possible and impossible task. It’s possible, yet inherently difficult, because it involves introducing texts that carry their own histories—histories we often know little or nothing about. It’s also complex because any commentator inevitably inserts some of their own subjectivity into the presentation. What might seem like a purely academic exercise becomes a profound challenge for the writer: How not to betray the authors? How to erase oneself so that one’s own words don’t overshadow those of others?

With this in mind, and striving not to stray from my colleagues’ intentions, I write these lines as a prelude to the articles that make up the core of issue number 9 of the Anuario CIEP. In this edition, we bring together authors who, while sharing some common ground, come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds—ranging from psychoanalysis, philosophy, social psychology, to sociology. Their shared goal is to debate, discuss, and reflect on the contributions of Cameroonian philosopher Achille Mbembe, particularly his concept of necropolitics.