Schmitt’s homogeneity thesis illuminates an aspect of democratic politics liberalism erases
Evidence
I do not want to deny that. given its author’s later political evolution. this assertion has a chilling effect. I consider, however. that it would be shon-sighted to dismiss Schmitt’s claim on the necessity of homogeneity in a democracy for that reason. It is my contention that this provocative thesis - interpreted in a certain way - may force us to come to terms with an aspect of democratic politics that liberalism tends to eliminate. — Chantal Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox, 166
Categorization
- QUESTION: The book’s whole project hinges on this ‘interpreted in a certain way’ — how exactly Mouffe will rescue homogeneity without Schmitt’s ethnic-exclusionary version is the question driving the chapter.
- XREF: Connects directly to ch3’s claim that all social objectivity is constituted through power and exclusion — homogeneity is the exclusions constitutive of the demos. — connects to: Schmitt holds homogeneity a condition of possibility for any actual democracy — Chantal Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox, 166; Schmitt’s homogeneity requirement targets liberal interest-group pluralism, which he rightly faults — Chantal Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox, 230; Early neoliberalism crystallized partly in intellectual dialogue with Carl Schmitt’s anti-liberalism — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 358 (+4 more)
Broader Connections
- Early neoliberalism crystallized partly in intellectual dialogue with Carl Schmitt’s anti-liberalism
#qualifies(0.85) — Dieter Plehwe, Quinn Slobodian & Philip Mirowski (eds.), Nine Lives of Neoliberalism, 358 - Democracy and liberalism can be decoupled and even opposed
#corroborates(0.85) — Philip Mirowski, Never Let a Serious Crisis Go to Waste, 235 - Liberal state neutrality presupposes cultural homogeneity among the governed
#qualifies(0.80) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 358