‘Political Theology’ is most well known as the book where Schmitt offers his famous definition of the sovereign as he who decides the exception. However, sandwiched between byzantine early 20th century German jurisprudential debates and commentary about obscure anti-modern Catholic reactionaries are less well known but equally important concepts. This seminar will explore Schmitt’s concepts of the state of exception, sovereignty, and decisionism. We will also spend some time examining Schmitt’s critique of the liberal account of the rule of law within ‘Political Theology’.
