GPOL6305

Carl Schmitt (188-1984) has become a modern classic in Political Theory and has even been named by some authors 'the Thomas Hobbes of the 20th century'. In Schmitt's work we find a critique of key aspects of modern liberal politics: it's ends, it's means, it's universalism, it's rationality, it's language, it's institutions, and it's further development. Nevertheless, Schmitt's writings have found serious recognition by a number of recent political theorists in different political camps. Most of Schmitt's main texts are now available in English and will be discussed in the class. In addition to these primary sources, we will read some critiques by his contemporaries and put his thinking into its historical context. In the second part of the course we will turn our focus to the current renaissance of Schmitt's work in different fields of modern political theory such as democracy, pluralism, international relations, and political power. - Recommended Reading: Reinhard Mehring: Carl Schmitt. A Biography. 2014