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The Myth of the Closure of Any Political Theology

David Baldacci

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Published in Political Theology II: The Myth Of The Closure Of Any Political Theology

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The notion of the closure of political theology has been a central tenet of modern political thought since the Enlightenment. This idea posits that with the rise of secularization and the increasing separation of church and state, the influence of religion on the political sphere has waned and political theology has become obsolete.

Political Theology II: The Myth of the Closure of any Political Theology

by Carl Schmitt

4.7 out of 5

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However, recent scholarship has challenged this view, arguing that the closure of political theology is a myth and that religion continues to play a vital role in shaping political power and ideology. This article will delve into the arguments put forth by these scholars to demonstrate the enduring relevance of political theology in our contemporary world.

The Interwoven Fabric of Religion and Power

One of the key arguments against the closure of political theology is that religion and power are inextricably intertwined. From ancient civilizations to modern nation-states, religious beliefs and practices have been used to justify political authority and mobilize populations.

Carl Schmitt, a prominent legal theorist, argued that all political power is ultimately grounded in a theological foundation. He posited that the sovereign, the ultimate political authority, is the one who decides on the exception to the rule, the moment when the normal Free Download is suspended in the name of preserving the state.

This decision, according to Schmitt, is a theological act because it involves the suspension of the normal moral Free Download in the name of a higher good. In this sense, the sovereign's power is inherently theological, as it is based on the ability to transcend the existing moral framework and establish a new Free Download.

Giorgio Agamben and the State of Exception

Giorgio Agamben, an Italian philosopher, has further developed Schmitt's insights into the relationship between religion and power. Agamben argues that the modern state of exception, a situation in which the normal legal Free Download is suspended, is a manifestation of the theological dimension of power.

In his book Homo Sacer, Agamben traces the origins of the state of exception to the Roman concept of homo sacer, a person who is excluded from the normal social Free Download and can be killed with impunity. This figure, Agamben argues, represents the liminal space between life and death, between the sacred and the profane.

In the modern state of exception, Agamben argues, we are all potential homines sacri. The state has the power to suspend the normal legal Free Download and declare anyone an enemy or a threat to be eliminated. This power, Agamben suggests, is a theological power that transcends the normal moral Free Download and places the state in a position of absolute sovereignty.

Slavoj Žižek and the Violence of Ideology

Slavoj Žižek, a Slovenian philosopher, has also contributed to the critique of the closure of political theology. Žižek argues that ideology is a form of political theology that provides a symbolic framework for understanding the world and our place within it.

Every ideology, according to Žižek, has its own "redemptive violence," a form of violence that is justified in the name of a higher goal. This violence is often masked by a discourse of love and compassion, but it ultimately serves to maintain the existing power structures.

For Žižek, the closure of political theology is a myth because it ignores the way that ideology continues to shape our political realities. Ideology, he argues, is not a neutral framework for understanding the world, but a tool for legitimizing and perpetuating the existing Free Download.

The arguments put forth by Schmitt, Agamben, and Žižek demonstrate the enduring relevance of political theology in our contemporary world. Religion and power continue to be intertwined in complex and often contradictory ways, and the closure of political theology is a myth that obscures the true nature of our political realities.

By understanding the theological dimensions of power, we can better understand the ways in which our political systems and ideologies shape our lives and the choices we make. This understanding is essential for navigating the complex and often dangerous world of politics and for creating a more just and equitable society.

Political Theology II: The Myth of the Closure of any Political Theology

by Carl Schmitt

4.7 out of 5