On institutions and power

deconstruction and an alternative

pp. 207-226

in: Bernard Dauenhauer, Elements of responsible politics, Berlin, Springer, 1991

Abstract

Social and political institutions, it is generally agreed, are "practical necessities" for human existence. If this is indeed the case, as I will assume, then philosophical positions which misconstrue them and the power exercised in and by them or misjudge how we should deal with them are seriously flawed.