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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
Henry David Thoreau on Creating a Deep Mental Path
Henry David Thoreau reflects on how continuous thought helps to create a deep mental path that will shape our lives in this week's Thoughts on Thinking.07-07-2015
Amor Mundi 7/5/15
In this week's Amor Mundi, we reflect on the fate of the modern novel, wonder whether automation is about to replace human labor, and much more!07-05-2015
Arendt and Holding Criminals Accountable
Karen Tsdj uses an image of her personal Arendtian library to remind us of the importance of holding criminals accountable for their crimes.07-02-2015
William James on the Determinate Force of Thinking
William James reflects on how the activity of thinking helps to determine life in this week's Thoughts on Thinking.06-30-2015
Amor Mundi 6/28/15
In our Amor Mundi, we celebrate the end of marriage inequality in the U.S., reflect on the life of Clementa Pinckney with President Obama, and much more.06-28-2015
Arendt: A Source of Independent Learning
Mark Olson shares a picture of his personal library of Arendt, whose works he used to create two independent study courses while studying in college.06-25-2015
H. G. Wells on Thinking and Grasping the Truth
Author H. G. Wells reflects on the clumsiness with which the human mind is able to grasp the truth in this week's Thoughts on Thinking.06-23-2015
Amor Mundi 6/21/15
In our Amor Mundi, we identify the recent church shooting in Charleston as a speakable act, reflect on the Pope's views about climate change, and much more.06-21-2015
Expanding the Mind Through Arendt
One of our followers on Twitter reveals how it is possible to expand one's mind by reading Arendt in this week's Library feature.06-18-2015