Behind the Bastards Part One: Carl Schmitt: The Mind Behind Modern Fascism
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May 20, 2025 Explore the life of Carl Schmitt, the legal scholar whose ideas helped shape modern fascism. Delve into his unique critique of liberal democracy and how his philosophical legacy still resonates today. Discover the socio-political tensions of late 19th-century Germany that influenced his far-right shift, alongside his personal struggles with love and identity. Laugh alongside poignant anecdotes as they juxtapose Schmitt's academic pursuits with the broader societal issues of his time, unveiling the complexities of his relationships.
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Carl Schmitt's Fascist Genius
- Carl Schmitt was a legal genius who devised how fascists could destroy liberal democracy from within.
- His 1920s playbook is still reflected in modern far-right strategies today.
Marginalized Catholic Identity
- Schmitt's Catholic identity made him a marginalized minority in Imperial Germany.
- This outsider status shaped his rejection of the Kaiser and the German Reich.
Kulturkampf and Catholic Power
- The Kulturkampf was Bismarck's attempt to weaken Catholic Church's influence.
- Despite efforts, the church retained significant social power, highlighting its resilience.