Summary of The Concept of the Political

The Concept of the Political is a classic text by German political theorist Carl Schmitt, first published in 1932. In the work, Schmitt examines the inseparability of the concepts of 'the political' and 'the state', as well as the relationship between liberalism and modern democracies. He develops a theory of the antagonistic character of modern politics as being composed of two opposite 'friend/enemy' camps, and asserts that the political sphere is dependent on the identification and distinction of these camps. In the final sections, Schmitt argues that politics must involve decision making in situations of emergency and that political autonomy is necessary if genuine political participation is to occur. Schmitt's work has been a major reference point in political thought and remains relevant to contemporary debates.