Introduction

Abstract

It is through politics, Machiavelli argued, that we can seize our destiny and tame Fortuna in such a way that we can direct the course of events, rather than being exposed to them. Rather than having destiny throwing us hither and thither, we can command and control our destiny. But this, Hegel (1830/31: 339) pointed out, in recounting what he claimed was a conversation between Goethe and Napoleon, also entails that politics becomes our destiny: politics not so much resolves destiny but becomes our destiny. The effect of politics becoming our destiny informs this study of constituent power (pouvoir constituant; verfassunggebene Gewalt). I direct attention to the way in which the principle of the constituent power of the people has been considered central to liberation from destiny and establishing free forms of living, but also the way that it is part of politics becoming our destiny.