‘The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy’ is less well known compared to the texts explored in the previous two weeks. However, it contains Schmitt’s most direct and sustained attack on liberal democracy as a theoretical ideal. The seminar will explore Schmitt’s criticism that liberal democracy is an oxymoron, paying close attention to Schmitt’s understanding of liberalism and democracy respectively. We will then connect Schmitt’s understanding of democracy with his concept of the political and sovereignty. Through ‘The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy’, we will endeavour to understand why Schmitt, with all of his authoritarian tendencies, considered his work to be democratic in essence.

Handout: docs.google.com/document/d/19XNqZyHgJSu3pldiYl0h_vwoY_pJHK-xCBeAa5VcLKQ/edit?usp=sharing