“Overview of Carl Schmitt’s The Concept of the Political”
Introduction
Carl Schmitt’s The Concept of the Political (1932) is one of the most influential and controversial works in political theory. Schmitt defines the political through the distinction between friend and enemy, arguing that this fundamental antagonism is the essence of political identity. His ideas have been widely discussed for their implications on democracy, sovereignty, and the legitimacy of liberal politics.
Key Aspects and Analysis
1. Friend-Enemy Distinction:
Schmitt’s central thesis is that the political is defined by the friend-enemy distinction. He argues that political groups are formed by their ability to identify an existential enemy, which becomes the defining characteristic of political action. The presence of an enemy is necessary to maintain the identity and cohesion of a political entity (Frye, 1966). This distinction remains autonomous from other domains like morality or economics, creating an independent sphere of political action (Moore, 2010).
2. Critique of Liberalism and Democracy:
Schmitt critiques liberalism for its focus on depoliticization and rational consensus. He argues that liberalism’s attempt to neutralize the friend-enemy distinction leads to political instability because it ignores the inherently antagonistic nature of politics. Schmitt’s ideas have been used to understand the rise of populism and illiberal democracies, which emphasize political divisions and national identity (Cipek, 2021).
3. Autonomy of the Political:
Schmitt asserts that the political sphere is autonomous from other social spheres, such as economics, law, or morality. This autonomy allows the political to dominate over other discourses, as the friend-enemy distinction can dictate political decisions even when other considerations (e.g., legal or ethical) may suggest otherwise (Moore, 2010).
4. Impact on Sovereignty and Decisionism:
Schmitt’s work is closely related to his concept of sovereignty, where the sovereign is the one who can make the decision during a state of exception—when the normal legal order is suspended to protect the state. This decisionism places ultimate authority in the sovereign’s hands, highlighting the political power necessary to maintain state order (Böckenförde, 1997).
5. Criticism and Paradox:
Schmitt’s focus on the autonomy of the political has been criticized as paradoxical. While he claims that the political is independent, it is ultimately reliant on the state to function. Critics argue that this undermines Schmitt’s claim of autonomy, as the political cannot truly exist without the state’s institutional framework (Moore, 2010).
Conclusion
Carl Schmitt’s The Concept of the Political offers a profound examination of the nature of politics, emphasizing conflict and sovereignty. While controversial for its implications on democracy and liberalism, the work continues to shape political thought, particularly in discussions of political realism and populism.
Bibliography
Böckenförde, E.-W. (1997). The Concept of the Political: A Key to Understanding Carl Schmitt’s Constitutional Theory. Canadian Journal of Law & Jurisprudence, 10(1), 5-19. Link.
Cipek, T. (2021). The Political Versus the State? The Relevance of Carl Schmitt’s Concept of the Political. Teorija in Praksa. Link.
Frye, C. E. (1966). Carl Schmitt’s Concept of the Political. The Journal of Politics, 28(4), 818-830. Link.
Moore, T. (2010). The Paradox of the Political: Carl Schmitt’s Autonomous Account of Politics. The European Legacy, 15(6), 721-734. Link.
