Carl Schmitt on the Großraum Order: A Theoretical Attempt to Counter a Universal Homogenizing Order
Author: Shang-ju Yang
Abstract / Chinese PDF Download
This article will focuses on the concept of “Großraum Order” proposed by the German legal scholar Carl Schmitt. In the 1920s, Schmitt observed structural changes in international law and order, which he believed indicated the emergence of an empire seeking to impose a universal order on other nations. During the Nazi era, Schmitt developed the concept of the “Großraum Order” to restore the balance of power in international relations and prevent external interference in Central and Eastern European affairs. This concept was derived from a reinterpretation of the United States’ Monroe Doctrine. At its core, the “Großraum Order” proposes a pluralistic world order characterized by multiple regional hegemons, wherein hierarchical international legal order exists between the hegemonic states and subordinate nations.