A radical critique of domination will lead to emancipation : during the past centuries, such a hope has fueled decades of (often successful) political struggles, and thus deserves much respect and gratitude. Should it continue to structure our cu rrent conception of political activism? That is much less clear. Many voices and many arguments seem to undermine our faith in this typically “modern” take on politics. The Leftist critique of domination marching towards ever more freedom and equality seem s to have lost a great deal of its traction over the past four decades. At best, it has slowed down, to the point of almost complete stasis. At worst, it has totally derailed. Should the traditional heralds and heroes of emancipation see in this pause an o pportunity to gather their forces, before resuming their triumphant march forwards towards social Progress? Or should they suspect their very banner to have become somewhat obsolete?