Political Romanticism by Carl Schmitt

Description

Political Romanticism by Carl Schmitt is a critical and philosophical examination of the romantic movement’s influence on political thought and practice. Originally published in 1919, this work marks one of Schmitt’s early forays into political theory, where he critiques the tendency of romanticism to personalize and aestheticize politics. Schmitt argues that political romantics approach political engagement as a form of self-expression or artistic creation rather than as a serious and responsible confrontation with the realities of power, authority, and decision-making. He claims that this romantic attitude leads to an evasion of concrete political responsibility, replacing genuine commitment with emotional and subjective experiences. Through his analysis, Schmitt focuses on key figures of German Romanticism, such as Adam Müller, examining how their ideas represent a dangerous detachment from the pragmatic and often harsh necessities of political life. Political Romanticism lays the groundwork for Schmitt’s later theories on sovereignty, decisionism, and the concept of the political, offering insight into his enduring concern with the importance of decisive leadership and the dangers of depoliticized idealism in times of crisis.