The Rhetorics of the Theologico-Political

This article critically examines a recurring theme in Pierre Manent’s political philosophy: the declaration that there is an inevitable link between religion and the body politic. Seeking to express himself both as a political and Catholic thinker, however, and while continuing to dialogue with his contemporaries, Manent is subject to the unique challenge of rationally defending his arguments without introducing any premises that might be linked to his faith (which his readers do not necessarily share). Following the three stages of his argumentative strategy (demonstration, critique, and lamentation), this article illustrates how the prevalence of stipulation and use of the begging the question fallacy largely weakens his plea for theologico-political resiliency.