The state is the ultimate authority in determining the political from "summary" of The Concept of the Political by Carl Schmitt
The political is fundamentally about the distinction between friend and enemy. It is not simply a matter of conflict or competition, but rather about the most extreme form of opposition that can exist between human beings. This distinction is what defines the essence of the political, as it creates a sense of us versus them, of inclusion versus exclusion. In this context, the state plays a crucial role in determining what is considered political. As the ultimate authority within a given territory, the state has the power to decide who is a friend and who is an enemy. It is the state that has the ability to declare a state of emergency, suspend the rule of law, and mobilize its citizens for war. In essence, the state is the entity that can make decisions about life and death, about who belongs and who does not. By virtue of its sovereignty, the...
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