Tag: political philosophy

A French Jacobin

3,782 words

Part 2 of 3 (Part 1 here, Part 3 here)

1. Introduction: Transcendental Idealism as Political Radicalism

In part one of this essay, I covered J. G. Fichte’s moral philosophy, as set out in his 1798 work The System of Ethics. In the present installment, which is largely self-contained, I shall cover his social and political philosophy, chiefly as expounded in The Foundations of Natural Right. Here we will find many ways in which Fichte lays the groundwork for contemporary Leftism, including a surprising anticipation of what Gen Z calls “real Communism.” (more…)

Georges Sorel

298 words

Georges Eugène Sorel was born 175 years ago today, and died at the age of 74. Born in Normandy and educated in Paris, Sorel was an engineer by training who took an early retirement to devote himself to philosophy and politics. Although conservative by temperament (he defended the patriarchal family and martial virtues), Sorel became a Marxist, albeit an increasingly heterodox one, and a revolutionary syndicalist.

Although Sorel had an elite education, on all essential matters he was an autodidact. (more…)

Aleister Crowley by Charles Krafft

644 words

Aleister Crowley was an English poet, novelist, painter, and mountaineer who is most famous as an occultist, ceremonial magician, and founder of the religion and philosophy of Thelema. Sadly, he was also an egomaniac, a pervert, and a drug addict. But at least he did not sacrifice babies to Satan or eat them for breakfast. Ironically, though, Crowley’s supposed Satanism and Black Magic are far less frightening to most people than his politics. For Aleister Crowley was also a man of the Right.

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722 words

Francis Parker Yockey was born 105 years ago today, September 18, in Chicago. He died in San Francisco on June 16, 1960, an apparent suicide. Yockey is one of America’s greatest anti-liberal thinkers and an abiding influence on the North American New Right. In honor of his birthday, I wish to draw the reader’s attention to the following works on this site.

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Georges Sorel

295 words

Georges Eugène Sorel died 100 years ago today at the age of 74. Born in Normandy and educated in Paris, Sorel was an engineer by training who took an early retirement to devote himself to philosophy and politics. Although conservative by temperament (he defended the patriarchal family and martial virtues), Sorel became a Marxist, albeit an increasingly heterodox one, and a revolutionary syndicalist.

Although Sorel had an elite education, on all essential matters he was an autodidact. (more…)

Carl Schmitt, 1888–1985

1,075 words

Carl Schmitt was born on July 11, 1888 in Plettenberg, Westphalia, Germany — where he died on April 7, 1985, at the age of 96. The son of a Roman Catholic small businessman, Carl Schmitt studied law in Berlin, Munich, and Strasbourg, graduating and taking his state exams in Strasbourg in 1915. In 1916, he earned his habilitation in Strasbourg, qualifying him to be a law professor. He taught at business schools and universities in Munich, Greifswald, Bonn, Berlin, and Cologne.

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2,105 words

Every white identitarian nationalist thinker, writer, vlogger, and other type of content creator is familiar with the phenomenon of the Internet Man of Action,™ a comment-section alpha male who looks down on those who do “nothing but complain” on the Internet instead of “taking action” in the streets, in the political arena, or associated areas of Real Life.

Indeed, while these Internet Men of Action™ do not boast any achievements of their own, whether in the much-vaunted arena of Real Life or not, they’re the first to criticize and appeal to Rightists to “do something.” (more…)

2,100 words

Neema Parvini
The Populist Delusion
Perth: Imperium Press, 2022

Neema Parvini, Ph.D., is the author of five books on Shakespeare who in recent years has turned his attention to political philosophy, including the broader Dissident Right. In our sphere, he is known as Academic Agent.

Parvini’s The Populist Delusion is a critique of populism and democracy from the Right. (more…)

Jean-Jacques Rousseau, left, and David Hume.

3,901 words

“No good deed goes unpunished,” as the old saw goes. It puts a cynical, waggish twist on the perspicacious observation that acts of genuine generosity and kindness too often come to grief. Benefactors beware! Shades of Thomas Hobbes: “Man to man is a wolf.” (more…)

4,282 words

On Saturday, March 5th, 2022, Greg Johnson will do a two-part Counter-Currents Radio. In the first, hour, he will answer reader questions about any topics. In the second hour, he will read and discuss his essay on Carl Schmitt’s book Theory of the Partisan, which is particularly relevant given the Ukrainian government’s decision to arm civilians to resist the Russian invasion. The entire essay is reprinted below. Your homework is to read the essay beforehand.

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Carl Schmitt, 1888–1985

2,462 words

On Saturday, February 19th, 2022, Greg Johnson will read and discuss his essay “Reflections on Carl Schmitt’s The Concept of the Political.” (The entire essay is reprinted below.) He will also pause to discuss the essay with the audience and, of course, answer YOUR QUESTIONS. Your homework is to read the essay beforehand. If possible, read Schmitt’s essay as well. (more…)

Nejběžnějším nařčením bývá označení populismu za „antidemokratický“

2,978 slov

English original here

Populisté usilují o to vyrvat lidovládu z rukou zkorumpovaných elit. Ty se přirozeně brání: nejběžnějším nařčením elitních komentátorů bývá asi označení populismu za „antidemokratický“. Jak píše Yascha Mounk, populismus staví problém jako „lid versus demokracie“. (more…)