Podcast Summary: This Guy Sucked – Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked

Podcast: This Guy Sucked
Host: Dr. Claire Aubin
Guest: Dr. Jonathan Fein (Germanist, Comparative Literature & Intellectual History)
Date: October 30, 2025
Episode Description:
An episode unlocking the life and legacy of Carl Schmitt, notorious legal theorist, Nazi, and long-lasting influence on right-wing authoritarianism, with deep dives into his ideas, controversies, and his disturbingly persistent relevance in contemporary politics.

Episode Overview

Dr. Claire Aubin and guest scholar Dr. Jonathan Fine dissect the impact and ideology of Carl Schmitt, a key legal theorist of the 20th century whose unrepentant Nazism and critiques of liberal democracy continue to ripple through modern political thought, especially among authoritarian movements. The discussion explores Schmitt’s core concepts (like the “state of exception” and "friend-enemy distinction"), his Nazi affiliations, his troubling afterlife among current political thinkers, and why understanding his ideas is crucial—especially given today's sociopolitical climate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Carl Schmitt and Why Does He Matter?

(Timestamp: 05:16–14:05)

Schmitt’s Identity: “Carl Schmitt was a Nazi, and that is the fundamental fact that you really should take away. He was an unrepentant Nazi from when he joined the party in 1933 to the moment he died in 1985.” – Dr. Jonathan Fein [05:16]
Unrepentant Nazi and militant antisemite: No denazification, explicit in personal diaries, even after WWII.
Key Influence: Known for concepts still influential today—especially the “state of exception,” “sovereignty,” and the “friend-enemy distinction.”
Historical Context: Rose to prominence during the Weimar Republic as the German state faced deep political disorder.

2. The “State of Exception” and Sovereignty

(Timestamp: 08:42–11:49)

The “state of exception” refers to circumstances wherein laws and rights can be suspended for emergency/sovereign action.
“He wanted to reinvigorate dictatorship … you have a state of exception, a state of emergency, and that ends and you go back to a better order than you presumably had before.” – Dr. Fein [05:16]
Claire’s Clarification: This is about transferring sweeping powers to a leader in times of crisis, often eroding civil liberties and democratic norms. [08:42]
Influenced Nazi legal justifications and resonates in modern states’ emergency powers (e.g., post-9/11 security state expansions, executive overreach).

3. Decisionist Sovereignty and the Friend-Enemy Distinction

(Timestamp: 10:44–14:43)

Decisionist Sovereignty: The true sovereign is the one who decides when normal rules no longer apply (i.e., during the state of exception).
“Schmitt declares that the sovereign is the person who decides on the state of exception.” – Dr. Fein [11:49]
Friend-Enemy Distinction: The political, at its core, is about identifying one’s friends and enemies—a foundational, violent binary.
- “The enemy is someone that has to be killed … violence is at the core.” – Dr. Fein [11:49]
- Not about mere disagreement, but about existential threat and annihilation.

4. Schmitt’s Antipathy to Liberal Democracy

(Timestamp: 19:19–22:23)

Schmitt fervently opposed liberal constitutionalism, compromise, cosmopolitanism, and universal moral values.
He criticized liberalism’s weakness, preference for debate over decisive action, and viewed compromise as diluting necessary state power.
“He doesn’t like it. He’s not a fan of this at all … you kind of have to hope the famous thinker who doesn’t like compromise is on your side.” – Dr. Aubin [19:19]
These critiques, while sometimes appealing to those frustrated with democratic gridlock, ultimately serve to justify authoritarianism.

5. Influence on Modern Thought: From the Left and Right

(Timestamp: 22:23–30:35)

Schmitt’s ideas have influenced theorists on both the left (e.g., Giorgio Agamben, Michel Foucault) and the right.
Dr. Fein shares his own academic journey: nearly writing a dissertation on Schmitt before turning to Hegel instead, noting the dangerous appeal of Schmitt in certain intellectual circles.
“I hate Schmidt in only the way that you can do when he’s someone you almost write a dissertation about.” – Dr. Fein [22:23]
Many contemporary right-wing thinkers—Peter Thiel, Curtis Yarvin, Richard Spencer, even JD Vance’s circle—intimately engage with Schmitt’s work.
- “Peter Thiel … definitely is aware of his Schmidt. They’ve taught courses with him… these are very much part of the intellectual set of ideas that hold sway in Washington right now.” – Dr. Fein [30:04]

6. Contemporary Rehabilitation—and the Danger

(Timestamp: 31:57–34:14)

On both right (and to some extent, left), attempts to rehabilitate Schmitt strip away his context as a Nazi and antisemite.
Modern conservative publications defend Schmitt or minimize his Nazism (e.g., Chronicles Magazine).
“There really is an attempt to talk about him as this sort of amorphous thinking character with no relationship to power in his own time period.” – Dr. Aubin [31:57]

7. Schmitt’s Deep Nazi Involvement & Postwar Legacy

(Timestamp: 34:14–45:01)

Thorough documentation of Schmitt’s role in Nazi law: President of the National Socialist German Jurists, legal justifier of political murder (Night of the Long Knives).
Purged from official party circles in 1936 when Nazis questioned his ideological fervor, but remained a committed Nazi and key theorist.
Schmitt never repented and continued to defend both his ideas and other Nazis post-war.
“[Schmitt] was someone who provided external legitimacy to the Nazi regime … he was high up and seemed to enjoy his role.” – Dr. Fein [34:14]
“He still says, well I was right all along. And that's, that's the real problem here. So there’s no point at which he says hold on, maybe I fucked this one up a little bit.” – Dr. Aubin [43:54]

8. The Irredeemability of Schmitt and Lessons for Today

(Timestamp: 51:04–58:06)

Schmitt’s ideological descendants today pose real dangers; using his concepts to justify authoritarianism, stripping democracy of its protections.
Attempts even on the left to use Schmitt’s analysis as a “useful critique” misunderstand his inherently anti-democratic, authoritarian project.
“There is a level of unredeemability to me in that people who openly admit to liking, loving, wanting to reinstate…authoritarianism and liking the concepts that underpin fascism really like this guy.” – Dr. Aubin [52:16]
“Even if you the person at home are not reading theory, the people who fucking hate you certainly are.” – Dr. Aubin [60:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“He was an unrepentant Nazi from when he joined the party in 1933 to the moment he died in 1985.” – Dr. Fein [05:16]
“Politics … is about survival and require[s] this identification of an enemy.” – Dr. Aubin [14:05]
“I hate Schmidt in only the way that you can do when he’s someone you almost write a dissertation about.” – Dr. Fein [22:23]
“There really is an attempt to talk about him as this sort of amorphous thinking character with no relationship to power in his own time period.” – Dr. Aubin [31:57]
“He wanted them [the Nazis] to be this kind of dictator sovereign … the divine sovereign on earth who could bring order.” – Dr. Fein [42:11]
“There’s no point at which he says hold on, maybe I fucked this one up a little bit… which is crazy.” – Dr. Aubin [43:54]
“You’re living in Schmidt’s world, even if you don’t want to.” – Dr. Fein [58:06]
“Fuck Nazis. You just gotta come and say fuck Nazis.” – Dr. Fein [61:57]

Essential Timestamps

03:40: Post-apocalyptic commune jobs banter sets tone
05:16: Schmitt as unrepentant Nazi and antisemite
08:42: Explaining the “state of exception”
10:44–11:49: Decisionist sovereignty; friend-enemy distinction
19:19: Schmitt’s anti-liberalism and why it attracts the right
22:23–30:35: Schmitt’s impact across Dr. Fein’s academic path; contemporary intellectuals influenced by him
31:57: Rehabilitation of Schmitt by right-wing media
34:14–45:01: Schmitt’s Nazi legal activism, purging, failed bid for more attention
51:04: The profound irritation that Schmitt’s legacy endures
58:06: “You’re living in Schmidt’s world, even if you don’t want to”

Takeaways

Carl Schmitt’s “friend-enemy” thinking and embrace of emergency powers are foundational to authoritarian theory and practice.
He was not just a theorist but an active, unapologetic Nazi and antisemite.
His legacy is disturbingly alive among today’s far-right thinkers, tech billionaires, and politicians who want to weaken democracy and empower strongman rule.
Understanding Schmitt is vital for anyone seeking to understand—and resist—modern authoritarian currents.
“Fuck Nazis”: The ultimate hater’s verdict, and a fitting episode capstone.

Podcast Summary: This Guy Sucked – Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Carl Schmitt and Why Does He Matter?

(Timestamp: 05:16–14:05)

Schmitt’s Identity: “Carl Schmitt was a Nazi, and that is the fundamental fact that you really should take away. He was an unrepentant Nazi from when he joined the party in 1933 to the moment he died in 1985.” – Dr. Jonathan Fein [05:16]
Unrepentant Nazi and militant antisemite: No denazification, explicit in personal diaries, even after WWII.
Key Influence: Known for concepts still influential today—especially the “state of exception,” “sovereignty,” and the “friend-enemy distinction.”
Historical Context: Rose to prominence during the Weimar Republic as the German state faced deep political disorder.

2. The “State of Exception” and Sovereignty

(Timestamp: 08:42–11:49)

The “state of exception” refers to circumstances wherein laws and rights can be suspended for emergency/sovereign action.
“He wanted to reinvigorate dictatorship … you have a state of exception, a state of emergency, and that ends and you go back to a better order than you presumably had before.” – Dr. Fein [05:16]
Claire’s Clarification: This is about transferring sweeping powers to a leader in times of crisis, often eroding civil liberties and democratic norms. [08:42]
Influenced Nazi legal justifications and resonates in modern states’ emergency powers (e.g., post-9/11 security state expansions, executive overreach).

3. Decisionist Sovereignty and the Friend-Enemy Distinction

(Timestamp: 10:44–14:43)

Decisionist Sovereignty: The true sovereign is the one who decides when normal rules no longer apply (i.e., during the state of exception).
“Schmitt declares that the sovereign is the person who decides on the state of exception.” – Dr. Fein [11:49]
Friend-Enemy Distinction: The political, at its core, is about identifying one’s friends and enemies—a foundational, violent binary.
- “The enemy is someone that has to be killed … violence is at the core.” – Dr. Fein [11:49]
- Not about mere disagreement, but about existential threat and annihilation.

4. Schmitt’s Antipathy to Liberal Democracy

(Timestamp: 19:19–22:23)

Schmitt fervently opposed liberal constitutionalism, compromise, cosmopolitanism, and universal moral values.
He criticized liberalism’s weakness, preference for debate over decisive action, and viewed compromise as diluting necessary state power.
“He doesn’t like it. He’s not a fan of this at all … you kind of have to hope the famous thinker who doesn’t like compromise is on your side.” – Dr. Aubin [19:19]
These critiques, while sometimes appealing to those frustrated with democratic gridlock, ultimately serve to justify authoritarianism.

5. Influence on Modern Thought: From the Left and Right

(Timestamp: 22:23–30:35)

Schmitt’s ideas have influenced theorists on both the left (e.g., Giorgio Agamben, Michel Foucault) and the right.
Dr. Fein shares his own academic journey: nearly writing a dissertation on Schmitt before turning to Hegel instead, noting the dangerous appeal of Schmitt in certain intellectual circles.
“I hate Schmidt in only the way that you can do when he’s someone you almost write a dissertation about.” – Dr. Fein [22:23]
Many contemporary right-wing thinkers—Peter Thiel, Curtis Yarvin, Richard Spencer, even JD Vance’s circle—intimately engage with Schmitt’s work.
- “Peter Thiel … definitely is aware of his Schmidt. They’ve taught courses with him… these are very much part of the intellectual set of ideas that hold sway in Washington right now.” – Dr. Fein [30:04]

6. Contemporary Rehabilitation—and the Danger

(Timestamp: 31:57–34:14)

On both right (and to some extent, left), attempts to rehabilitate Schmitt strip away his context as a Nazi and antisemite.
Modern conservative publications defend Schmitt or minimize his Nazism (e.g., Chronicles Magazine).
“There really is an attempt to talk about him as this sort of amorphous thinking character with no relationship to power in his own time period.” – Dr. Aubin [31:57]

7. Schmitt’s Deep Nazi Involvement & Postwar Legacy

(Timestamp: 34:14–45:01)

Thorough documentation of Schmitt’s role in Nazi law: President of the National Socialist German Jurists, legal justifier of political murder (Night of the Long Knives).
Purged from official party circles in 1936 when Nazis questioned his ideological fervor, but remained a committed Nazi and key theorist.
Schmitt never repented and continued to defend both his ideas and other Nazis post-war.
“[Schmitt] was someone who provided external legitimacy to the Nazi regime … he was high up and seemed to enjoy his role.” – Dr. Fein [34:14]
“He still says, well I was right all along. And that's, that's the real problem here. So there’s no point at which he says hold on, maybe I fucked this one up a little bit.” – Dr. Aubin [43:54]

8. The Irredeemability of Schmitt and Lessons for Today

(Timestamp: 51:04–58:06)

Schmitt’s ideological descendants today pose real dangers; using his concepts to justify authoritarianism, stripping democracy of its protections.
Attempts even on the left to use Schmitt’s analysis as a “useful critique” misunderstand his inherently anti-democratic, authoritarian project.
“There is a level of unredeemability to me in that people who openly admit to liking, loving, wanting to reinstate…authoritarianism and liking the concepts that underpin fascism really like this guy.” – Dr. Aubin [52:16]
“Even if you the person at home are not reading theory, the people who fucking hate you certainly are.” – Dr. Aubin [60:24]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“He was an unrepentant Nazi from when he joined the party in 1933 to the moment he died in 1985.” – Dr. Fein [05:16]
“Politics … is about survival and require[s] this identification of an enemy.” – Dr. Aubin [14:05]
“I hate Schmidt in only the way that you can do when he’s someone you almost write a dissertation about.” – Dr. Fein [22:23]
“There really is an attempt to talk about him as this sort of amorphous thinking character with no relationship to power in his own time period.” – Dr. Aubin [31:57]
“He wanted them [the Nazis] to be this kind of dictator sovereign … the divine sovereign on earth who could bring order.” – Dr. Fein [42:11]
“There’s no point at which he says hold on, maybe I fucked this one up a little bit… which is crazy.” – Dr. Aubin [43:54]
“You’re living in Schmidt’s world, even if you don’t want to.” – Dr. Fein [58:06]
“Fuck Nazis. You just gotta come and say fuck Nazis.” – Dr. Fein [61:57]

Essential Timestamps

03:40: Post-apocalyptic commune jobs banter sets tone
05:16: Schmitt as unrepentant Nazi and antisemite
08:42: Explaining the “state of exception”
10:44–11:49: Decisionist sovereignty; friend-enemy distinction
19:19: Schmitt’s anti-liberalism and why it attracts the right
22:23–30:35: Schmitt’s impact across Dr. Fein’s academic path; contemporary intellectuals influenced by him
31:57: Rehabilitation of Schmitt by right-wing media
34:14–45:01: Schmitt’s Nazi legal activism, purging, failed bid for more attention
51:04: The profound irritation that Schmitt’s legacy endures
58:06: “You’re living in Schmidt’s world, even if you don’t want to”

Takeaways

Carl Schmitt’s “friend-enemy” thinking and embrace of emergency powers are foundational to authoritarian theory and practice.
He was not just a theorist but an active, unapologetic Nazi and antisemite.
His legacy is disturbingly alive among today’s far-right thinkers, tech billionaires, and politicians who want to weaken democracy and empower strongman rule.
Understanding Schmitt is vital for anyone seeking to understand—and resist—modern authoritarian currents.
“Fuck Nazis”: The ultimate hater’s verdict, and a fitting episode capstone.

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Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Podcast Summary: This Guy Sucked – Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Carl Schmitt and Why Does He Matter?

2. The “State of Exception” and Sovereignty

3. Decisionist Sovereignty and the Friend-Enemy Distinction

4. Schmitt’s Antipathy to Liberal Democracy

5. Influence on Modern Thought: From the Left and Right

6. Contemporary Rehabilitation—and the Danger

7. Schmitt’s Deep Nazi Involvement & Postwar Legacy

8. The Irredeemability of Schmitt and Lessons for Today

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Essential Timestamps

Takeaways

Further Reading & Guest info

Summary

Podcast Summary: This Guy Sucked – Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Carl Schmitt and Why Does He Matter?

2. The “State of Exception” and Sovereignty

3. Decisionist Sovereignty and the Friend-Enemy Distinction

4. Schmitt’s Antipathy to Liberal Democracy

5. Influence on Modern Thought: From the Left and Right

6. Contemporary Rehabilitation—and the Danger

7. Schmitt’s Deep Nazi Involvement & Postwar Legacy

8. The Irredeemability of Schmitt and Lessons for Today

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Essential Timestamps

Takeaways

Further Reading & Guest info

Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine *Unlocked*

Powered by Wave AI

Summary

Podcast Summary: This Guy Sucked – Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Carl Schmitt and Why Does He Matter?

2. The “State of Exception” and Sovereignty

3. Decisionist Sovereignty and the Friend-Enemy Distinction

4. Schmitt’s Antipathy to Liberal Democracy

5. Influence on Modern Thought: From the Left and Right

6. Contemporary Rehabilitation—and the Danger

7. Schmitt’s Deep Nazi Involvement & Postwar Legacy

8. The Irredeemability of Schmitt and Lessons for Today

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Essential Timestamps

Takeaways

Further Reading & Guest info

Summary

Podcast Summary: This Guy Sucked – Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Was Carl Schmitt and Why Does He Matter?

2. The “State of Exception” and Sovereignty

3. Decisionist Sovereignty and the Friend-Enemy Distinction

4. Schmitt’s Antipathy to Liberal Democracy

5. Influence on Modern Thought: From the Left and Right

6. Contemporary Rehabilitation—and the Danger

7. Schmitt’s Deep Nazi Involvement & Postwar Legacy

8. The Irredeemability of Schmitt and Lessons for Today

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Essential Timestamps

Takeaways

Further Reading & Guest info

Carl Schmitt with Jonathan Fine Unlocked