Political Epistemology Against Fascism: Eleven Theses

Abstract

Any political epistemology worth pursuing is politically engaged: It does not merely extend epistemology to political phenomena but inevitably positions itself vis-à-vis these phenomena. Hence, any political epistemology worth pursuing is a critical theory (in a wide sense). Quite unsurprisingly, current critical theories, as well as political epistemologies, are divided in their political analyses and in their political stances. Whereas many philosophers currently believe that the most important demarcation line runs between ideal and non-ideal theories and thus between different methodologies, I argue that it runs between the liberal or non-liberal political theories that underwrite not just the methodologies but also the different stances of political epistemologies. With an eye towards the current rise of authoritarian and outright fascist movements and governments worldwide, I argue that we can no longer afford liberal political epistemologies. History and theory show that liberalism does not protect against fascism but is its breading ground.