10 Lessons About Carl Schmitt: A Guide to the Most Influential Political Thinker of the 20th Century

Introduction

Carl Schmitt is one of the most important and influential political thinkers of the 20th century. His work has had a profound impact on our understanding of politics, law, and international relations. In this book, Agassiz Almeida Filho provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Schmitt's thought.

Schmitt's Life and Work

Carl Schmitt was born in 1888 in Plettenberg, Germany. He studied law and political science at the University of Munich, where he was a student of Max Weber. After graduating, Schmitt worked as a lawyer and a professor of law. He also served as a member of the German parliament and as a legal advisor to the Nazi government.

Schmitt's work is characterized by its originality, its rigor, and its polemical nature. He was a prolific writer, and his work covers a wide range of topics, including political theory, constitutional law, international law, and the philosophy of history.

Schmitt's Key Concepts

Schmitt's work is based on a number of key concepts, including:

• The distinction between friend and enemy: Schmitt argues that the fundamental political distinction is not between left and right, or between capitalism and socialism, but between friend and enemy. This distinction is based on the fact that politics is ultimately about conflict and violence.
• The concept of the political: Schmitt defines the political as the realm of human action that is concerned with the distinction between friend and enemy. This realm is characterized by the possibility of violence and the need for decision-making.
• The concept of sovereignty: Schmitt argues that sovereignty is the power to decide on the exception to the law. This power is essential for the maintenance of political order, as it allows the state to respond to emergencies and threats.

Schmitt's Influence

Schmitt's work has had a profound influence on political thought and practice. His ideas have been used to justify both democratic and authoritarian regimes. They have also been used to understand the dynamics of international relations and the nature of war.

Schmitt's work is controversial, but it is also essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the political world. His insights into the nature of politics, law, and international relations are invaluable for anyone who wants to make sense of the complex and dangerous world in which we live.

10 Lessons from Carl Schmitt

In this book, Agassiz Almeida Filho distills Schmitt's complex thought into 10 essential lessons. These lessons provide a concise and accessible overview of Schmitt's work, and they offer valuable insights into the nature of politics, law, and international relations.

The 10 lessons from Carl Schmitt are:

1. The political is the realm of friend and enemy.
2. The concept of the political is based on the possibility of violence.
3. Sovereignty is the power to decide on the exception to the law.
4. The state is the only legitimate source of violence.
5. Law is a product of political power.
6. International law is a product of the balance of power between states.
7. War is a legitimate form of political action.
8. The enemy is not simply the other, but the existential threat to one's own way of life.
9. Politics is a struggle for power, and the only way to achieve power is through violence.
10. The political order is always provisional and subject to change.

Conclusion

Carl Schmitt is a complex and challenging thinker, but his work is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the political world. In this book, Agassiz Almeida Filho provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Schmitt's thought. He distills Schmitt's complex work into 10 essential lessons, offering valuable insights into the nature of politics, law, and international relations.