Horror Politicus in the Twentieth Century. Cover Image

Horror politicus w XX wieku
Horror Politicus in the Twentieth Century.

An Attempt at Interpreting Selected Topics of Carl Schmitt’s Theory of the Partisan

Author(s): Paweł Kaczorowski
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Political Sciences
Published by: Instytut Studiów Politycznych PAN
Keywords: politicization; state; partisan; party; a whole; totality; liberal politics; terror; technology; unity of the world; international law; war; Europe; tradition; revolution

Summary/Abstract: According to Carl Schmitt, the phenomenon of the political has different forms. These forms can be distinguished based on different possible relationships between political action and the state. This article presents the history of what Schmitt refers to as the phenomenon of partisanship. Partisanship is a specific form of politics, established in the early ninetieth century, which has gradually expanded its presence. Partisan activity is characterized by totality, which has evolved to become the dominant component of political action over time, particularly in the twentieth century. This totality affects not only the size and range of political activity, but it is also – and perhaps first of all – ruthless in its use of terror and violence, which is considered entirely justified by total partisans/terrorists.

  • Issue Year: 2015
  • Issue No: 17
  • Page Range: 135-161
  • Page Count: 27
  • Language: Polish