Disruption-Seeking Irony

This chapter delves into the final form of irony discussed in this book, disruption-seeking irony. It differs from the other three forms in its relativism and nihilism. Its critical gaze is directed towards the system, which is depicted as lacking any normative principles. In disruption-seeking irony, international politics is a constellation that is upheld by a normative vocabulary that is hiding its true nature, which is essentially about a battle for hegemony. To formulate this form, the chapter relies particularly on Hayden White’s gloomy understanding of irony. In its illustration of disruption-seeking irony, the chapter focuses on the political language of Russia’s Vladimir Putin. The chapter also discusses the ‘owning the libs’ vocabulary as well as political attempts to disrupt the liberal status quo more generally. The chapter concludes with reflections on the long and intricate route from justice-seeking irony to disruption-seeking irony.