Does Political Theology Entail Decisionism?

Abstract

The thesis of political theology holds that all justificatory theories of the state rely on some metaphysical assumptions, rather than just empirical facts and accepted political conventions. The thesis is relevant because it challenges liberal theories that justify the state on the basis of individual autonomy and popular will. It is also controversial because many theorists believe that metaphysical assumptions introduce decisionism to the theory of the state. But, does political theology entail decisionism? This paper concludes that decisionism - the view that a state depends on the unrestrained personal decision of a ruler - does not follow necessarily from political theology. The paper illustrates this claim with examples from the philosophy of Nicholas Cusanus and process philosophy. This conclusion challenges the view that the modern state is at its core a continuation of Christian hopes and beliefs, and it may clear the path for metaphysical discussions in normative political theory.