Explores systematically the relation of Levinas' thought to the political and how the ethical resources he offers can enrich our understanding of the political. This is essential reading for all students of philosophy and politics.

Key to Abbreviations Introduction Chapter One: Presentiments of National Socialism Political Horror Liberty, Equality and Fraternity Phenomenology and Freedom Philosophy and National Socialism Guide for the Persecuted Chapter Two: The Post-War Political The Consequences of National SocialismThe Haunted Peace The Critique of Political Ontology: Towards Totality and Infinity 'Being Jewish'/'Being Western': Towards Otherwise than Being Israel: Between Totality and the Ethical Chapter Three: Between War and Peace: the Burdens of Totality and Infinity Totality and War From Lucidity to Vigilance: The Questions of Totality and Infinity War in Peace War and the Other Peace and the 'Work of Justice' Chapter Four: Prophetic Politics or 'Othewise than Freedom' Difficult Freedom Otherwise than Being I: The Ontological Supplement Otherwise than Being II: Proximity and Substitution Illeity and Phophetic Politics The Rights of Man and Citizen Chapter Five: Israel in Universal and Holy History Levinas's Right to Silence The Passion of Israel Israel and Messianic Politics Israel and Jewish Identity Threatening Others Assimilation