In The Birth of the Republic; 1763–89; Edmund S. Morgan shows how the challenge of British taxation started Americans on a search for constitutional principles to protect their freedom; and eventually led to the Revolution. By demonstrating that the founding fathers’ political philosophy was not grounded in theory; but rather grew out of their own immediate needs; Morgan paints a vivid portrait of how the founders’ own experiences shaped their passionate convictions; and these in turn were incorporated into the Constitution and other governmental documents. The Birth of the Republic is the classic account of the beginnings of the American government; and in this fourth edition the original text is supplemented with a new foreword by Joseph J. Ellis and a historiographic essay by Rosemarie Zagarri.
#138543 in Books Carl Schmitt 2006-01-15 2006-01-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .60 x 5.25l; .40 #File Name: 0226738892116 pagesPolitical Theology Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty
Review
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Four StarsBy Brian DavisNice exploration of political thought.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Undeniably ImportantBy SteinerCarl Schmitt was an early 20th century Jurist and legal scholar who developed a number of the most significant concepts of political theory. In Political Theology; Schmitt accomplishes two basic things: first; he develops the concept of Sovereignty which has come to dominate modern considerations of law and security. Namely; Schmitt articulates the Sovereign in terms of having the authority to decide on "the State of Exception." The State of Exception has come to be an extremely important concept among Critical Theorists today; particularly in the work of Agamben. Additionally; Schmitt argues that modern political concepts are ultimately "Secularized Theological Concepts;" particularly the ultimate power of the Sovereign. Schmitt's politics is informed by the prioritization of security over freedom; and his Hobbesian world view permeates his specific interpretations of the legal and political World Situation in the difficult years of the Weimar period. Despite his nefarious participation in National Socialism; Schmitt's thought remains an important resource and reference point for contemporary political thought.44 of 47 people found the following review helpful. Insightful; Well-translatedBy Amol ShelatAfter many years; Carl Schmitt's works have finally reached the shores of the English-speaking world. Having been isolated by much of the scholarly community due to his complicity and support for Nazi Germany; it is only in recent decades that his works have garnered interest.IdeasPolitical Theology; like many of his most famous works; was written during a prolific period of his life in Weimar Germany. Indeed; this book bears the marks and concerns of the fragile political system in which he lived. Disenchanted with parliamentary democracy and the legal reasoning of his time; Schmitt develops in this book a devastatingly sharp critique of liberal democracy and legal normativism--a critque which has become very pertinent to our current political climate (2006).In place of this; Schmitt probes into the historical and ideological framework of the state and politics so as to discover its essential characteristics; which he argues is defined and circumscribed by the exception. In short; the exception is a moment of true decision by a soveriegn; by which the legal norm is created. For; as the famous opening lines of the book proclaim; "Sovereign is he who decides on the exception."Translation and IntroductionNow; George Schwab has done an excellent translation of this work so as to make it clear and readable. As such; I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in Carl Schmitt; early 20th century political theory; Weimar Germany; or recent political works by Giorgio Agamben and Chantal Mouffe. Moreover; I also recommend reading the foreword and introduction; which provide a clear and succint overview of Schmitt's political theory.Lastly; Schmitt's works are not very accessible to a quick reading. I recommend going over this book very carefully and thoroughly--best not before bedtime. I would also recommend his other works. I have found Schmitt to be terribly and sometimes frightfully insightful and believe that his ideas are essential to understanding modern political institutions; practices; and ideology.
