Groundless Existence: The Political Ontology of Carl Schmitt

by Michael Marder

Groundless Existence discusses the implicit phenomenological and existential foundations of Schmitt's political philosophy. The book's unique contribution lies in its claim that Schmitt decisively breaks with the metaphysical tradition and predicates the political on the "groundless" categories of existence, including risk, decision, and agonism. This argument is substantiated by both tacit and explicit existentialist and phenomenological underpinnings of Schmitt's work, discussed here for the first time in book form.

The book provides an insight into the implications of Schmitt's thought reconceptualized in the light of contemporary political developments. An essential text for anyone interested in the political theory of Carl Schmitt, it offers a new reading of Schmitt's work against the double background of phenomenology and existentialism.

Genres: Politics, Philosophy, Theory

208 pages, Hardcover

First published July 15, 2010

About the author

Michael Marder is IKERBASQUE Research Professor of Philosophy at the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain. An author of seven books and over 100 articles, he is a specialist in phenomenology, political thought, and environmental philosophy.

Reviews

[Colm Gillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful book from a major intellectual. Many highlights stand out. One of the most abiding memories was how Marder interpreted the simple concepts of the point and the line (as they appear in Schmitt's works). It is well edited and well structured. At times the work is a little too dense I feel and Marder could have made it easier to follow some of the finer points.