The publication of Empire in 2000 signaled a shift in political philosophy, positioning Michael Hardt as a central figure in contemporary critical theory. Born in 1960 in Bethesda, Maryland, he has built a diverse career as a university teacher, philosopher, and literary critic, focusing heavily on the intersections of globalization, social movements, and the concept of the multitude.
Early Education and Political Foundation
Hardt attended Winston Churchill High School before enrolling at Swarthmore College in 1978. During his time at Swarthmore, the 1970s energy crisis influenced his decision to study engineering with the intent of developing alternative energy solutions for developing nations. He eventually moved away from engineering, pursuing comparative literature at the University of Washington, where he completed an M.A. in 1986 and a PhD in 1990 with a dissertation focused on Gilles Deleuze.
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A significant portion of Hardt's academic output involves his partnership with Italian philosopher Antonio Negri. Hardt first encountered Negri's work while translating The Savage Anomaly. The two met in Paris in 1986 to refine the translation, initiating a long-standing intellectual collaboration. Their primary trilogy, consisting of Empire, Multitude, and Commonwealth, explores the nature of contemporary power structures, the commodification of services, and the potential for a democratic global movement.
Academic and Intellectual Career
Hardt serves as a professor of Literature and Italian at Duke University, where he has been a faculty member since 1994. Previously, he taught briefly at the University of Southern California. Beyond his books, he has contributed numerous articles to academic journals such as Social Text and Yale French Studies. His research frequently examines the biopolitical economy, specifically the creation of images, code, and affects as central drivers of modern innovation.
Political Theory and Social Movements
In his political writing, Hardt challenges the traditional boundaries of political engagement, advocating for an expansion of concepts like love and joy into the political sphere. Following the occupation movements of 2011 and 2012, he and Negri published Declaration, an electronic pamphlet analyzing emerging forms of democratic resistance. Despite his academic position, he remains skeptical of the university as a primary site for radical social transformation.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Bethesda, United States
- Undergraduate Education: Swarthmore College
- PhD: University of Washington, 1990
- Primary Academic Affiliation: Duke University
- Collaborator: Antonio Negri
- Key Trilogy: Empire (2000), Multitude (2004), Commonwealth (2009)
Questions readers ask
What is the central argument of the Empire trilogy?
Hardt and Negri argue that class oppression and globalization have evolved into a new global power structure, while simultaneously creating a 'multitude' that can organize to form a global democratic movement.
Does Michael Hardt consider his university work to be revolutionary?
No. He has stated that he is not convinced that political activity intended for large-scale social transformation can originate from within the university.
Achievements
- Held posts at European Graduate School and Duke University
- Fields: philosophy
