Theory of the Partisan

Theory of the Partisan examines the historical development and political significance of partisan warfare from Napoleon's era through the 20th century. The text originated from two lectures delivered in Spain during 1962, expanding on Schmitt's earlier work on political theory. The book traces the evolution of the partisan fighter from a traditional military figure to a key player in revolutionary and ideological warfare. Schmitt analyzes how technological advancement and changing political dynamics transformed partisan combat from a local defensive tactic into a global revolutionary strategy. This work draws on historical examples from Spanish guerrilla resistance to Mao's revolutionary warfare, documenting the partisan's journey from irregular combatant to politically-motivated fighter. The text examines legal frameworks, military doctrine, and state responses to partisan warfare across different historical contexts. Schmitt's analysis reveals fundamental questions about the nature of political violence, sovereignty, and the relationship between regular and irregular forces in modern conflict. The book stands as a crucial theoretical framework for understanding asymmetrical warfare and political resistance movements.

Readers note this book offers insights into irregular warfare and resistance movements, but many find it dense and theoretical. Several reviewers highlight Schmitt's analysis of how partisan warfare evolved from the Spanish guerrilla resistance against Napoleon to modern terrorism. Liked: - Historical examples that illustrate the theory - Connections between partisan warfare and modern conflict - Clear distinction between real vs. absolute enemies - Analysis of space and territory in partisan warfare Disliked: - Complex German philosophical language - Difficult to follow without prior knowledge of Schmitt - Some readers found it dated for modern conflicts - Short length but dense content Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (178 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 ratings) Multiple reviewers mention needing to read sections multiple times to grasp concepts. One Amazon reviewer noted: "Important ideas buried in unnecessarily complex prose." A Goodreads review praised the "relevant analysis of irregular combatants that applies to today's conflicts."

On Guerrilla Warfare by Mao Tse-tung This text examines irregular warfare through the lens of political theory and revolutionary strategy.

War of the Flea: The Classic Study of Guerrilla Warfare by Robert Taber The book analyzes the methods and principles of guerrilla warfare through historical case studies from the 20th century.

The Concept of the Political by Carl Schmitt This work explores the fundamental nature of political relationships and the friend-enemy distinction in modern politics.

Modern Warfare: A French View of Counterinsurgency by Roger Trinquier The text presents a theoretical framework for understanding revolutionary warfare based on French military experiences in Indochina and Algeria.

The War of the Running Dogs by Noel Barber This study chronicles the Malayan Emergency and provides insights into the intersection of partisan warfare, political theory, and counter-insurgency operations.

🔹 Carl Schmitt wrote this book while living in relative isolation after being banned from teaching due to his controversial associations with the Nazi regime during WWII. 🔹 The concept of the partisan fighter described in the book was heavily influenced by Mao Zedong's guerrilla warfare tactics and the Spanish resistance against Napoleon. 🔹 The book sparked renewed interest in Schmitt's work among leftist theorists in the 1960s, despite his right-wing background, due to its relevance to anti-colonial struggles. 🔹 Schmitt develops his famous "friend-enemy distinction" theory in this work, arguing that partisan fighters create new forms of political enmity outside traditional state warfare. 🔹 The text was originally delivered as a series of lectures in Franco's Spain in 1962, and these lectures were among Schmitt's last major public intellectual appearances.