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Kojève's 1945 'Latin Empire' Idea Revived by Agamben

opinion-review · 2026-09-07

In 1945, Russian-French philosopher Alexandre Kojève spoke of the need to create a 'Latin Empire.' His Italian colleague Giorgio Agamben has recently taken up this 'idea.' The concept, which also foresaw the end of history and a state where only art and love remain, has been revisited in contemporary philosophical discourse. The discussion appears in a recent article in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, highlighting the enduring relevance of Kojève's post-war vision.

Key facts

  • Alexandre Kojève, a Russian-French philosopher, proposed the creation of a 'Latin Empire' in 1945.
  • Giorgio Agamben, an Italian philosopher, has recently engaged with Kojève's idea.
  • Kojève's thought included predictions about the end of history and a future state focused solely on art and love.
  • The discussion is featured in an article by the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.
  • The article is part of the Feuilleton section of the NZZ.
  • The original text is in German and was published on a date not specified in the source.
  • Kojève's concept is described as an 'idea' by Agamben.
  • The article's title mentions 'eighty years ago' from the current date, suggesting the context of 1945.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Sources