Hannah Arendt Politics, History and Citizenship

The new study provides a fresh and timely reassessment of thepolitical philosophy of Hannah Arendt. While analysing the centralthemes of Arendt's work, Phillip Hansen also shows that her workmakes a significant contribution to contemporary debates.Specifically, Hansen argues that Arendt provides a powerful accountof what it means to think and act politically. This account canestablish the grounds for a contemporary citizen rationality in theface of threat to a genuine politics. Amoung other issues, Hansen discusses Arendt's conception ofhistory and historical action; her account of politics and of thedistinction between public and private; her analysis oftotalitarianism as the most ominous form of 'false ' politics; andher treatment of revolution. The book is a balanced and opportune reappraisal of Arendt'scontributions to social and political theory. It will be welcomedby students and scholars in politics, sociology and philosophy.