This book is the first book-length deconstructive study of the political philosophy of Jürgen Habermas. Inspired by the work of Jacques Derrida, the book applies deconstruction to key issues in Habermasâ??s work: rational discourse and rational consensus, constitutional democracy, tolerance and civil disobedience.

The war in Iraq brought Habermas and Derrida together in defense of international law and in favor of a bigger role for a united Europe in international affairs. Yet, despite the rapprochement between Habermas and Derrida in the years prior to Derridaâ??s death, important differences remain between Habermasâ??s critical theory and Derridaâ??s deconstruction. These differences reflect differences between post-structuralism and critical theory and between postmodernists and the defenders of modernity.