Quote by: Carl Schmitt

The concept of humanity is an especially useful ideological instrument of imperialist expansion, and in its ethical-humanitarian form it is a specific vehicle of economic imperialism. Here one is reminded of a somewhat modified expression of Proudhon’s: whoever invokes humanity wants to cheat. To confiscate the word humanity, to invoke and monopolize such a term probably has certain incalculable effects, such as denying the enemy the quality of being human and declaring him to be an outlaw of humanity; and a war can thereby be driven to the most extreme inhumanity.


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Author Bio


  • NameCarl Schmitt
  • DescriptionGerman jurist, political theorist and professor of law
  • BornJuly 11, 1888
  • DiedApril 7, 1985
  • CountryGermany
  • ProfessionJurist; Geopolitician; Politician; Philosopher; Political Scientist