Constraining Leviathan

In this chapter the place of Hobbes in relation to the twentieth-century crisis of civilization is explored through the writings of Schmitt and Oakeshott. The nature of the crisis is explored, and it becomes evident that the pernicious elements that one perceives as the contributory factors in the decline are what the other claims are the strengths which are being undermined by the crisis. Both Oakeshott and Schmitt are critics of liberalism, but whereas Schmitt sees parliamentary democracy as a weakness emanating from liberalism, Oakeshott believes that parliamentary democracy predates modern liberalism, and is one of the strengths of contemporary politics with the potential to resist the decline. Individuality, pluralism, the secret ballot, and the rule of law are for Schmitt unnecessary constraints contributory to the depoliticization of the political, undermining the capacity of the sovereign to determine, or decide who are friends and enemies.