From Treasures to Tragedies: The Dual Legacy of Carl Schmitt

This chapter explores the unsettling transition from light-hearted speculation about hidden treasures in the Vatican to a profound examination of Carl Schmitt's alignment with Nazi ideology. It highlights Schmitt's pivotal role in shaping legal frameworks that facilitated the expulsion of intellectuals, revealing the moral complexities of personal and political relationships amid totalitarianism. The discussion culminates in an analysis of Schmitt's enduring influence on contemporary right-wing movements, emphasizing the troubling normalization of authoritarian traits in today's political landscape.