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Behind these thoughts—and not far behind them—is Carl Schmitt (1888-1985). It was Carl Schmitt who coined the term Thiel prefers, “political theology.” Schmitt brought together a distinctive idea of politics with an idea about executive power. For Schmitt, politics is by definition conflictual. It’s conflict that gives to politics its particular configuration.

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Because political life is conflictual, a matter of friends and enemies, executive power for Schmitt needs to be absolute. The effective ruler must be a “dictator,” a term Schmitt eagerly embraces. No “muddling through”; the effective ruler seizes power by declaring a “state of exception” and setting a firm direction for the state.

It will not surprise you that in 1933 Schmitt joined the Nazi party. Although he lived to 1985, he never apologized for his support of Adolf Hitler or for his open antisemitism. -snip- What distinguishes Schmitt’s political theology is its unabashed support for dictatorial rule.

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For Peter Thiel and others of his ilk this is the power to create a future unconstrained by government regulation and oversight. To do so, they need a biblical “lawless one,” the one who tears down the old so they can build the new. And for that purpose, the second Trump administration, augmented by Elon Musk and his minions, serves the purpose. All that would restrain the lawless one, liberal democracy, elections, the bureaucracy—all the katechonic elements of society—must be thrown off. In their place, the followers of Schmitt like Thiel and others propose a “unitary executive,” a barely disguised version of Schmitt’s dictator. Go fast and break things is the order of the day. We are watching it happen.