The Ongoing Insurrection. The Philosophical-Political Thought of Gustavo Esteva

Abstract

Gustavo Esteva is a de-professionalized Mexican intellectual who has forged his ideas alongside the caracoles zapatistas and other Latin American social movements. His thought, found in multiple articles and books, is characterized as a philosophy rooted in everyday life that aims to disrupt the hegemonic paradigm of intelligibility. According to Esteva, we stand at the thresholds of the end of an era, yet we are still unable to fully comprehend the new era emerging amidst our daily lives. To grasp it, it is essential to recognize the new words and forms of intelligibility that are being born. This article aims to trace some key ideas in Esteva's thought, as well as highlight the most significant authors with whom he engages in dialogue. In doing so, it outlines Esteva's unique political philosophy, which can serve as a framework for better understanding the times in which we live.