Introduction Carl Schmitt’s friend–enemy distinction, first systematically articulated in The Concept of the Political (1927/2007), remains one of the most provocative and controversial ideas in modern political theory. Rather than locating “the political” in institutions, interests, or deliberative processes, Schmitt identifies it with an existential distinction between collective “friends” and “enemies.” This framing insists that …
In this paper, I build upon my previous analyses of Aristotle's political philosophy, particularly his exploration of civic strife and regime conflict. In my 2022 article, "Aristotle on the Politeia and Its Role in His Political Science," I examined how Aristotle's concept of the politeia, or constitution, serves as the foundational structure of a polis, …
In Aristotle’s Politics, the concept of power is central to his exploration of how societies are organized, maintained, and flourish. For Aristotle, power is not merely about control or dominance but is deeply tied to the ethical and moral foundations of society. His analysis of power encompasses a wide range of contexts, including political authority, …
This essay is my additional thoughts on Carl Schmitt’s framing of the concept of the political form. I offer them to help flesh out my earlier essay. Carl Schmitt, who is one of the most provocative and influential political thinkers of the twentieth century, remains a figure of enduring debate in political thought. While he …
Introduction Carl Schmitt’s concept of politische Form—translated as “political form”—is a cornerstone of his political thought. Developed most prominently in Römischer Katholizismus und politische Form (1923) and elaborated further in Verfassungslehre (1928), the idea of political form ties together some of Schmitt’s most crucial concerns: sovereignty, authority, representation, and the structural order of political life. …
Few figures in political thought have generated as much debate, admiration, and condemnation as Niccolò Machiavelli. Reflecting that May 3rd was his birthday, I thought it a rather useful thing to offer a reflection on why he remains a very central thinker for our times, especially given his role in inaugurating a distinctively modern understanding …
In recent years, commentators and scholars have increasingly turned to the work of Carl Schmitt to make sense of Donald Trump’s brand of populist politics. Schmitt, a controversial German legal theorist and critic of liberal democracy, is best known for his assertion that “the political” is founded on the distinction between friend and enemy, and …
Introduction Nationalism and patriotism are two terms that are frequently invoked in political discourse, often to distinguish between what is seen as a negative, aggressive form of national pride (nationalism) and a positive, virtuous form of the same sentiment (patriotism). Nationalism is typically associated with a strong attachment to one’s ethnic or cultural identity, often …
Why Paul Gottfried’s Work on Fascism and Antifascism Deserves Attention In contemporary political discourse, the term fascism is frequently wielded as a rhetorical weapon, often detached from its historical and theoretical meaning. The word, once used to describe a specific political movement in early 20th-century Europe, has been stretched beyond recognition and applied indiscriminately to …
Part 2: A Dialogue on Order and Justice between Aristotle and Huntington Contrasting Huntington's Political Order to Aristotle’s on regimes. Samuel P. Huntington and Aristotle provide two distinct yet insightful frameworks for understanding political systems. While Huntington’s Political Order in Changing Societies focuses on institutional strength as a determinant of political stability, Aristotle’s Politics introduces …
