Politics in dark times: reflections on Hannah Arendt

Abstract

Hannah Arendt (1906–1975) analysed liberal democracy, Marxism, the nation-state, and the legal and political impediments to the realisation of human rights. This article considers the reasons for the resurgence of interest in Arendt's work as a resource for understanding globalisation, international conflict, and the plight of refugees. It shows that elements of her analysis of the origins of totalitarianism resonate with current concerns, but more importantly the limitations of her analysis, particularly of racial segregation in the USA, have a direct bearing on the distinction between social equality and political equality. In South Africa confronting entrenched social inequality alongside the constitutional proclamation of political equality Arendt's work has added relevance. This article explores these concerns by way of criticism of Arendt that enlists analysis of the Haitian Revolution. It seeks to identify aspects of Arendt's texts from which lessons can be learnt.