Between Politics and Philosophy: a Study of Leo Strauss in Dialogue with Carl Schmitt

Over the past years, Leo Strauss and Carl Schmitthave become increasingly influential andcontroversial in the field of political theory. Scholars have hotly debated their political theories, practices, and engagements with each other''s ideas. This book provides a detailed account of thethoughtful exchange between Strauss and Schmitt, anaccount that should help reveal the nature of thedialogue between the two men over what politics isand clarify the peculiar features of their politicalteachings. Understanding the dialogue as one betweena political realist and a political idealist, thisbook contends that whereas Schmitt has in view thedistinction between real and unreal republics, Strauss has in view the contrast between existingimperfect political orders and the perfect politicalorder constituted in speech. The analysis shouldespecially be useful to specialists in the politicalthought of the twentieth century as well as tostudents interested in the tradition of politicalphilosophy in general.