Hannah Arendt and the Weimar Republic: A hidden relation

Authors

  • Cristina Sánchez Muñoz Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18042/192.01

Abstract

This article shows Hannah Arendt’s relationship with the Weimar Republic through her work. Although there are no explicit references to the Republic, the thesis of an implicit presence is maintained —a hidden relation—, which is shown in the implicit theming of relevant aspects of Arendt’s analysis. In this sense, an analysis is offered first of all of the philosophical influences of the Weimar context, especially of her teacher Jaspers. Next, the problems that the Weimar Republic was dragging along are examined: the Jewish question and the decline of the Nation-State. Both problems lead to the lack of a solution to the rights of minorities. Finally, Arendt’s ideas about the people’s councils as a political system, present at the birth of the Republic, but also in other historical moments and in other political traditions, are presented. The article ends by pointing out Arendt’s federalist approach, connected to the councils.

Published

2021-06-10

Issue

Section

ARTICLES