Decrypting Political Theology: Genealogy, Trends, Antagonisms

This book presents a genealogy of the concept of political theology through the theory of encryption of power.

The legitimacy of political power, largely overlooked in traditional political theory and philosophy, is largely rooted in what has come to be known as political theology, although the current state may be formally secular. This concept is essential for philosophical interpretations that can unveil and address the complex interconnections between religion and politics, as well as faith and power. This book employs the theory of the encryption of power and the ontological idea of an-anarchy-that is, a practice of thought without foundations and centered on flow, potency, and contingency-to provide a brief genealogy of the idea of political theology, exploring its key authors, both classical (such as Schmitt, Benjamin, and Taubes) and contemporary, including feminist, black, and decolonial perspectives. These contemporary approaches emerge from processes that decrypt power and, by moving beyond the sovereign framework, antagonize political-economic authority. The book also examines phenomena such as Christofascism, prosperity theology, and neo-Pentecostalism in politics, alongside other significant themes relevant to today’s world.

Andityas Soares de Moura Costa Matos is professor of philosophy of law at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil.