1st Edition
The Dual State Parapolitics, Carl Schmitt and the National Security Complex
This volume presents a practical demonstration of the relevance of Carl Schmitt's thought to parapolitical studies, arguing that his constitutional theory is the one best suited to investing the ’deep state’ with intellectual and doctrinal coherence. Critiquing Schmitt’s work from a variety of intellectual perspectives, the chapters discuss current parapolitical reality within the domain of criminology, the parapolitical nature of both the dual state and the national security state corporate complex. Using the USA as a prime example of the world’s current dual or ’deep political state’, the criminogenic dimensions of the parapolitical systems of post 9/11 America are discussed. Using case studies, the dual state is examined as the causal factor of inexplicable parapolitical events within both the developed and developing world, including Sweden, Canada, Italy, Turkey, and Africa.
Biography
Eric Wilson is senior lecturer of public international law at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. He is editor of Government of the Shadows: Parapolitics and Criminal Sovereignty (Pluto Press, 2009). He is also the author of The Savage Republic: De Indis of Hugo Grotius, Republicanism, and Dutch Hegemony in the Early Modern World-System (c.1600-1619) (Marinus Nijhoff Press, 2008). His primary research interests are the philosophy and history of public international law, critical jurisprudence, and critical criminology.
’The Dual State is a powerful and provocative interrogation of contemporary politics of security, based on a critical reinterpretation of Carl Schmitt’s political thought. The contributors trace the operation of the para-political logic in a dazzling variety of settings, demonstrating the continuing dependence of the global liberal order on disavowed and covert structures of authority. Combining theoretical sophistication with empirical diversity, this volume is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding contemporary world politics.’ Sergei Prozorov, University of Helsinki, Finland ’Recent history (with its seminal falsifications like the false-flag US anthrax attacks) has served to increase the relevance of parapolitical analysis. This anthology shows the recurrence of parapolitics in many different countries, and also contributes to a theoretical understanding of both the phenomenon and the study of it, the latter in the context of officially funded (and CIA-subsidized) academic social science. Most of the investigative essays are open-ended, as they should be. In all, this important and wide-ranging collection is an excellent introduction to parapolitical studies, the best that I know.’ Peter Dale Scott, University of California, Berkeley, USA
