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Temptations of Tyranny
Rod Dreher’s conflicted support for President Trump illustrates a broader crisis among intellectual conservatives who fear the "soft totalitarianism" of liberal institutions yet embrace the hard authoritarianism of executive overreach. Drawing on Hannah Arendt’s political thought, the essay contends that true freedom is preserved not through charismatic leaders but through the multiplication and decentralization of citizen power. Revitalizing democracy, it argues, requires stubborn, local acts of collective governance rather than the dangerous temptation to concentrate authority in a single figure.04-27-2025
Articles
Stalinism in Retrospect: Hannah Arendt
Peter Baehr analyzes “Stalinism in Retrospect”, Arendt's contribution to Columbia’s Seminar on Communism, with respect to her theories on totalitarianism.09-30-2015
Peter Drucker on Asking the Wrong Questions
Peter Drucker offers his views on asking the wrong questions in this week's Thoughts on Thinking.09-29-2015
Amor Mundi 9/27/15
In this week's Amor Mundi, we explore the features of Nazi antisemitism, reflect on whether bureaucracy can secure liberty, and much more!09-27-2015
Hannah Arendt and America's Blood-Won Liberty
We appreciate some marginalia Arendt made in her copy of "Lectures on the French Revolution" in relation to America, revolution theory, and liberty.09-24-2015
Charles William Eliot on the Thoughts of an Efficient Man
Charles William Eliot provides his comments on how an efficient man is capable of thinking in this week's Thoughts on Thinking.09-22-2015
Amor Mundi 9/20/15
In our Amor Mundi, we reflect on how bureaucratic culture is spoiling freedom on college campuses, wonder at persistent government surveillance, and more!09-20-2015
Hannah Arendt, Kingship and the Gods
On a recent trip to the Hannah Arendt Collection, we came across this copy of Henri Frankfort's Kingship and the Gods.09-17-2015
Announcing Our 2015 Courage to Be Essay Contest Winner!
The Hannah Arendt Center is pleased to announce the winner of its 2015 Courage to Be Essay Contest!09-16-2015
Joseph Joubert on Grand and Beautiful Thoughts
Joseph Joubert comments on what is needed to comprehend a grand and beautiful thought in this week's Thoughts on Thinking.09-15-2015