Carl Schmitt for the Masses: The Concept of the Political pt.1

Most these days have heard of Carl Schmitt's Friend-Enemy distinction. What is it all about and why is it important for us today to understand this idea?

6. Carl Schmitt for the Masses: The Concept of the Political pt.1

Carl Schmitt’s The Concept of the Political is one of his more accessible books, which means it is merely a difficult read, and not hellishly imposing. There is so much material relevant to today in this work. “Prescient” is a fitting word. At the same time, this volume is challenging not so much because he is difficult to read but because Schmitt attacks most of the concepts and presuppositions upon which our modern ideas of politics are based. He has little but contempt for western style liberal government. He also disdains ideas such as equality. Working your way through this book is like having the rug pulled out from under you, falling, hurting yourself and finding you are ok with that.

I am going to break up this piece into several shorter essays. I was reading through the 31 pages of notes in my Moleskine and doing this book justice in a single article will have a definite tl:dr character. Let’s begin and see how far we get today.

The State

In order to properly understand the idea…