A Systematic Review about the Theories of Max Weber, Carl Schmitt and Michel Foucault Based on the Political Practice in China and U.S.

Abstract

Historically, every thinker's theory on the national political development is topical and pertinent. As time goes by, many scholars have become more and more concerned with the applicability of these ideas to current political situation. This paper will use China and the United States (the U.S.) as examples to analyze the applicability of the theories of Max Weber, Carl Schmitt and Michel Foucault. Based on comparing and summarizing the famous works of the three thinkers, relevant academic papers and reports etc., this article makes a detailed analysis of the applicability of the above thinkers' theories and finally draws conclusions. In terms of Weber, he put forward the idea of distinguishing officials and politicians separately, which is applicable in the U.S. but cannot be applied in China. The main reason for this theory is that officials and politicians are two completely separate systems in the U.S., while China thinks officials is politicians. As for Carl Schmitt, he talks about the distinction between friend and enemy in political relations, and points out the inescapable relationship between politics and war, denying the possibility of peace. This theory perfectly conforms to the current political situation of the U.S., but it has some limitations when it is used to analyze the situation in China due to its unique cultural background as well. For Michel Foucault, the difference between him and the above-mentioned two theorists is that his theory more concerns the people and those in power. However, similar to them, Foucault's theory is also very significant and can be substituted into the modern society of China and the U.S. In conclusion, the theories of Weber, Schmitt, and Foucault are more like a cultural hedge between the old and the new, bringing clear attention to the different political systems in the world.