The End of Law

Reviews / Votes

Twenty years ago, Scheuerman's account of Schmitt's political theory questioned the political consequences of CLS and other radical criticisms of the tradition of democratic legalism. The new chapters for this much-needed second edition take the argument further, showing how Schmitt's ideas of emergency and sovereignty undermined law and democracy in the name of one-man, patriarchal rule. -- Peter C. Caldwell, Samuel G. McCann Professor, Rice University We live in dangerous times which is why Schmitt-perhaps the most dangerous mind of the twentieth century-has proved so attractive to scholars across the political spectrum. In this update of his pathbreaking The End of Law, Scheuerman explains the power of Schmitt's insights while brilliantly exposing the hazards involved in accepting the arguments of this disingenuous academic. -- David Dyzenhaus, Professor of Law and Philosophy, University of Toronto William Scheuerman writes with almost astonishing clarity about the notably complex, controversial, and, for better or worse, undoubtedly important Carl Schmitt. The clarity extends to Scheuerman's own arguments, which allows the reader to engage in a stimulating dialogue with both Schmitt and Scheuerman. Few books are more important at the present time, when liberal democracy is under increased attack (and in need of thoughtful defenses like Scheuerman's). -- Sanford Levinson, co-author (with Jack Balkin) of Democracy and Dysfunction The key themes of Schmitt's political theory are best understood as responses to a fundamental question about legality: To what extent can and should legal or constitutional norms bind and program political decision-taking? Few books engage with Schmitt's treatment of this issue as successfully as The End of Law. The updated edition of this definitive work is highly welcome. -- Lars Vinx, Lecturer in Jurisprudence, University of Cambridge, UK