Description
THE NATIONALIST CHALLENGE
Book Summary
This work offers a political reading of the work of Franz Rosenzweig, one of the most influential Jewish philosophers of the 20th century. Daniel Barreto reconstructs the theological genealogy of the nation-state through key texts such as The Star of Redemption and Hegel and the State. The reader will find a rigorous analysis that unveils the political violence inherent in nationalism and proposes, from a critique of Western idealism, a new way of thinking about time, universality, and democracy.
What is it about?
The book delves into the political potentialities of the work of Franz Rosenzweig, a philosopher who influenced thinkers such as Walter Benjamin and Emmanuel Levinas. Based on his fundamental texts, Daniel Barreto explores the relationship between theology and politics to unravel the origins of the modern nation-state. Rosenzweig’s critique, inspired by the Hebrew tradition, confronts Western idealism and the ideology of historical progress, revealing how these currents have justified political violence. The work invites us to reconsider concepts such as historical time, universality, and democracy from a renewed perspective, offering tools for alternative political thought.
Main themes
- Theological genealogy of the nation-state and critique of nationalism.
- Political philosophy of Franz Rosenzweig and his influence on contemporary thought.
- Relationship between Western idealism, historical progress, and political violence.
- Reformulation of democracy and universality from the Hebrew source.
- Intersection between philosophy of religion and political theory.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and researchers of political philosophy, state theory, religious studies, and contemporary Jewish thought. It will also be of great interest to readers with a background in the humanities who seek to understand the theological roots of nationalism and critical alternatives to the ideology of progress.
What this book contributes
- An original reconstruction of Rosenzweig's critique of nationalism and idealism, little explored in academic literature.
- Keys to understanding modern political violence from a theological-political perspective.
- Conceptual tools to rethink democracy and universality beyond the framework of the nation-state.
- A rigorous analysis that connects philosophy, religion, and politics in an interdisciplinary dialogue.
Technical specifications
- Author: Barreto González, Daniel
- Publisher: Anthropos Editorial
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Literary essays, social and political philosophy, philosophy of religion, religion and politics, politics and government, nationalism, religious and theocratic ideologies
- Collection: Critical Thought, Utopian Thought
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: December 2018
- Number of pages: 232
- Weight: 444 g
Editorial assessment
This is a high-level academic work that addresses a complex topic with clarity and depth. Its main value lies in offering a political reading of Rosenzweig that transcends the philosophical realm to engage with current problems such as the rise of nationalism and the crisis of democracy. It is an essential reference for those seeking to understand the theological roots of state power and the possibilities for renewed political thought.