(Political) Theology as Ideology

Political theology, as a means of legitimizing power structures, persists in contemporary Liberal systems. Liberalism can be seen as a civil religion committed to supposedly universal values and ideals (e.g., human rights, democracy, rule of law) while in reality producing inequality, suppressing genuine democracy and human rights, and masking power structures and their operations. The paper focuses on what appears as a paradox: the proclaimed Liberal opposition to autocracy, authoritarianism, and colonialism, alongside Liberal elites' support for colonial rule and the concentration of virtually absolute power in a single office – of the “High Representative” in Bosnia and Herzegovina – lacking any democratic legitimacy. Liberalism turns out to be an ideology hostile both to autocracy and democracy, sacralizing private property, promoting capitalism, privileging elites, and favoring technocratic, depoliticized management over democratic deliberation. Liberalism's drive to depoliticize politics fosters recurring calls for “strong leaders,” producing authoritarian decisionism in moments of crisis.

Argument (complex analysis · Liberalism · Philosophical theology · Political theology · Systematic theology · Marxism and Critical Theory · Philosophy, Ethics, and Existentialism · Political Theology and Sovereignty

• Divine Democracy

  Miguel Vatter•Divine Democracy•2020

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