Review: Alexej Ulbricht, Multicultural Immunisation: Liberalism and Esposito

Immunity has established itself as one of the most exciting and productive conceptual lenses being used in contemporary social theory. Ulbricht’s first book demonstrates why this is the case, through using the imaginary of immunity to explicate a selection of the features of liberal multicultural theory. Influenced by the work of Italian philosopher Robert Esposito, the book traces ideas of tolerance, consensus and rights as they appear across a selection of liberal theoretical interventions. After engaging with an impressive swathe of literature throughout his book, Ulbricht’s critical arrival point is an exciting use of Lefebvrian rhythmanalysis in a bid to supplant universal theories of multiculturalism with a recognition of multiculturalism as an intensely local and ad hoc human experience.