ABSTRACT
The idea to edit a handbook on political phenomenology was motivated by three main reasons, which serve as opening theses to our field of exploration: (1) Political phenomenology exists in different variants today, even if not always under this name. We believe, however, that these approaches can justifiably be covered and systematized under the label ‘political phenomenology.’ (2) Political phenomenology makes an important systematic contribution to political theory. Our thesis is that it functions as a valuable corrective to dominant trends in current political philosophy and therefore serves a crucial function within contemporary political thought. (3) Political phenomenology catalyzes crucial debates within the phenomenological tradition. As this handbook is meant to show, the history of political phenomenology goes back as far as the history of phenomenology itself.
