Introduction

This introduction lays out the main aim of the study, which is to reconsider, by reassessing the political thought of Max Weber (1864–1920), Carl Schmitt (1888–1985) and Hans Kelsen (1881–1973), the problem of modern democracy and its legitimacy beyond the limited scope of contemporary normative political philosophy. The text offers an overview of the structure of the book, as well as a preliminary historico-conceptual reflection on the problems of legitimacy, modernity and democracy.