Abstract
Iris M. Young, Chantal Mouffe, and Ernesto Laclau are known for their political perspective on the politics of difference. The politics of difference concerns the fundamental question of political subjectivity. They argue against the essentialist belief that there is a fixed identity, instead promote the celebration of multiple and diverse values within society as reflecting the nature of difference. This article provides a genealogical examination of the discursive construction of these new attempts to define a philosophical basis for difference. The theories on difference and identity of Young, Laclau and Mouffe have been described and critiqued in this article. Such an examination will provide a better understanding of the notions of political agency presented in these new attempts. This may also lead us to a better understanding of the depth implicit in such notions as emancipation and empowerment notions these new theories have led us to.