Beyond Sovereignty

Jacques Derrida uses the expression democracy to come to think a new figure to come that is beyond sovereignty. However, I argue that, if we are to think beyond sovereignty, democracy to come is insufficient and it must be considered together with voyoucracy since, according to Derrida himself, the latter is a transgressive countersovereignty and has all the makings of a counterconcept of sovereignty. To explain and defend this thesis, first, I describe the expression democracy to come. I begin with an analysis of its temporality. Then, I explain the concept of voyoucracy. Moreover, I analyze the relationship between voyoucracy and democracy to come. Although initially I acknowledge a proximity between these two concepts, later I argue that voyoucracy deeply exceeds sovereignty, while democracy to come keeps a reference to sovereignty. Therefore, it is useful to think of democracy to come together with voyoucracy.