Philosophize This! Episode #133 ... Carl Schmitt on Liberalism pt. 2
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Jul 1, 2019 Discover the provocative insights of Carl Schmitt as he critiques contemporary liberalism. Explore the paradox of sovereign authority lurking beneath claims of reduced authoritarianism. Delve into the dichotomy where political identities are shaped by the friend-enemy distinction, warning of rising apathy. Reflect on the crisis of political identity and the dangers of detachment in modern society. Finally, question the illusion of global peace as the potential for authoritarianism looms large in liberal contexts.
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Liberalism's Sovereign Illusion
- Carl Schmitt argues that liberalism hasn't eliminated the sovereign.
- Constitutions only constrain power during normalcy, not emergencies.
The Friend-Enemy Distinction
- Politics, for Schmitt, fundamentally rests on the friend-enemy distinction.
- Political identities are forged through opposition, defining 'us' against 'them'.
The Danger of Apathy
- Schmitt criticizes liberalism for fostering political apathy.
- This apathy allows the political process to operate covertly, leaving citizens vulnerable.