‘Political Romanticism’ is a lesser known work by the early Schmitt. As an early work, it is also particularly abstruse. However, it is very much an important insight into what Schmitt believes is the metaphysical ailment plaguing liberalism: romanticism. In this seminar, we will look at Schmitt’s account of romanticism as ‘subjectified occasionalism’ fortified by the conditions of liberal individualism and connect his criticism of romanticism to his concept of the political and the importance of living an existentially meaningful life. We will also explore how Schmitt’s account of romanticism shares parallels with other concepts such as alienation.

Handout: docs.google.com/document/d/1MXCckr7witzGY8tf_leZ32PVYeNEWQjl1Ln7B6kVgvM/edit?usp=sharing