Political Theology and Law

This book explores the relationship between political theology and economic theology,addressing misunderstandings about the former and arguing that economic theology is a deeply anti-political form that forecloses modes of resistance. It is of interest to scholars, researchers, and advanced students in modern political and legal philosophy, as well as those studying the crisis of its legacy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 14 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive work delves into two fundamental inquiries. Firstly, it explores the possibility of transcending the realm of political theology, a field that has been subject to diverse interpretations and applications. Secondly, it examines the validity of what is often referred to as economic theology, a perspective that contends it can serve as an alternative to political theology, as suggested by figures such as Michel Foucault and Giorgio Agamben.

To initiate the exploration, the book addresses and clarifies various misunderstandings surrounding the concept of political theology, encompassing its multiple and sometimes conflicting meanings. It then delves into a conceptualization introduced by Carl Schmitt, which views political theology as the eloquent matrix of modern politics. This perspective holds that, as modern politics generates and continually reworks an excess that exceeds its own confines, its core remains theological-political, albeit secularized.

The subsequent chapters of the book delve into a profound analysis of the analogic relationship between juridico-political concepts and theological-metaphysical concepts. The author argues that, while the "turn to economic theology" may appear as a distinct form of political theology, it is, in reality, a profoundly anti-political endeavor that forecloses modes of resistance. This critical examination sheds light on the limitations and constraints imposed by economic theology on our understanding of politics, power, and law.

The book holds immense appeal to scholars, researchers, and advanced students engaged in the fields of modern political and legal philosophy. It particularly targets those who investigate the intricate interplay between theology, its substitutes (such as hegemony and political myth), politics, power, law, legitimacy, and legality within the context of secularization. Furthermore, the book contributes to contemporary critical studies on the neoliberal state and the resurgence of the state of exception in democratic societies. It also raises important questions about the moralization of law, a phenomenon influenced by globalist ideology and the humanitarian turn after 1989.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between political theology, economic theology, and the broader socio-political landscape. It provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing contemporary society and offers a critical framework for analyzing and understanding these complex issues.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138549821