The intellectual trajectory of Alberto Toscano, born in Moscow in 1977, spans the dual spheres of contemporary social theory and continental philosophy. Holding citizenship in both Italy and the United Kingdom, his work focuses on the intersection of political crisis, capitalist structures, and the persistent relevance of communist thought within modern academic discourse.
Academic Background
Toscano completed his undergraduate studies at Eugene Lang College, New School for Social Research, where he attained a BA in Liberal Arts in 1997. He continued his academic training at University College Dublin, earning an MA in Continental Philosophy in 1999. His doctoral research was undertaken at the University of Warwick, culminating in the completion of his PhD in 2003.
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His scholarly output covers a wide range of subjects, including investigations into the concept of fanaticism and the history of Marxist theory. Major authored works include The Theatre of Production, published in 2006, and Fanaticism: On the Uses of an Idea, which appeared in 2010. His most recent monograph, Late Fascism: Race, Capitalism and the Politics of Crisis, was released in 2023. Additionally, he has contributed to the SAGE Handbook of Marxism and collaborated on projects such as Cartographies of the Absolute.
Translatorial and Editorial Contributions
Toscano serves as a translator for prominent contemporary thinkers, most notably Alain Badiou. He has produced English versions of Badiou's Logics of Worlds, The Century, Handbook of Inaesthetics, and Theoretical Writings. Beyond this, he is an active member of the editorial board for the journal Historical Materialism: Research in Critical Marxist Theory, which operates as a significant influence in the academic revival of Marxist study. He also acts as series editor for The Italian List at Seagull Books.
Research Strands and Institutional Roles
His research is structured into three primary areas: the politics of authoritarianism as linked to capitalist crises, the framework of tragedy as a lens for collective politics, and the application of real abstraction in analyzing processes like racialization and automation. Having previously worked as a Reader in Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London, he currently holds a position as Adjunct Professor at the School of Communication, Simon Fraser University.
Fast facts
- Born: 1 January 1977, Moscow
- Citizenship: Italy, United Kingdom
- PhD: University of Warwick, 2003
- Current Position: Adjunct Professor, Simon Fraser University
- Key Publication: Late Fascism: Race, Capitalism and the Politics of Crisis (2023)
- Primary Field: Philosophy, Sociology
- Languages: English, French
Questions readers ask
Which philosophers has Alberto Toscano translated?
He is widely recognized for translating the works of Alain Badiou, including The Century and Logics of Worlds, as well as contributions from Antonio Negri, Éric Alliez, and Georges Bataille.
What is the primary focus of his research?
His current research explores the politics of authoritarianism, the role of tragedy in political discourse, and the concept of real abstraction in relation to modern capitalism.
Achievements
- Held posts at Goldsmiths, University of London
