Hannah Arendt and Political Theory: Challenging the Tradition

Rehabilitates Arendt’s reputation as a serious political theorist by looking afresh at her work. Hannah Arendt’s work has been noted for its unorthodox and eclectic style. Steve Buckler now shows that her unusual approach reflects a consistent and distinctive conception of, and way of doing, political theory. Through close readings of her most influential works – “The Origins of Totalitarianism”, “The Human Condition and On Revolution” – and her less well known and posthumously published writing, Buckler argues that Arendt’s work is an important and challenging alternative to the more orthodox methods characteristic of both analytic and post-analytic political theory. This title discusses Arendt’s key works – “The Origins of Totalitarianism”, “The Human Condition and On Revolution” – alongside her less well known and posthumously published writing. It considers Arendt’s views on totalitarianism, political theory, and the concept of action, revolutions, political ethics, and the role of the thinker.