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Democracy and Dissent
Today, it is worth recalling Arendt’s foundational defense of public dissent as well as her outspoken resistance to legalized denaturalization based on political opinions.03-16-2025
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Leaderless Crowds
Recent riots in Britain reveal the complex interplay between political grievances and emotional drivers of collective violence. This analysis challenges simplistic explanations, arguing that the core appeal of riots lies in their ability to foster belonging and power among participants. It highlights the role of misinformation and leaderless crowd dynamics in modern civil unrest.08-11-2024
On Fake Hannah Arendt Quotations
This article discusses a mis-attributed quote to Hannah Arendt circulating on social media, exploring why such alterations occur and their potential consequences. Berkowitz argues that while simplified versions of Arendt's words may increase accessibility, they risk undermining the integrity of her original texts and contribute to a broader cynicism about truth, which Arendt herself warned against in her writings on totalitarianism and the importance of factual reality.08-04-2024
A New Concept of Freedom
The 2024 Alpine Fellowship in Tuscany, co-sponsored by the Hannah Arendt Center, centered on the theme of "language" and integrated intellectual discussions with holistic activities like yoga and nature immersion. The Fellowship underscores the importance of a strong sense of self for political freedom and character development through thinking, as inspired by Hannah Arendt's philosophy.07-13-2024
Great Cases Make Bad Law
Roger Berkowitz critiques the Supreme Court's ruling in Trump v. United States, contending it grants presidents excessive immunity from criminal prosecution, thereby eroding essential checks and balances in American democracy. His analysis cautions against establishing a perilous precedent that undermines accountability for presidential misconduct, posing a significant threat to the core tenets of republicanism and democratic governance.07-05-2024
The Two Saviors Who Would Destroy Us
In Fintan O'Toole's reflection on Biden's savior complex, he observes that those who define themselves by their opposites risk becoming like them. Biden's struggle against Trump's shadow, vividly seen in his disintegration during the CNN debate, illustrates this dangerous parallelism, where Biden's attempts at differentiation are overshadowed by Trump's presence, eroding his own persona and political effectiveness.07-05-2024
The Fighting Spirit
Ian Buruma reminds us that world wars can start in peripheral places. Buruma, like many today, worry that the next major war may well begin in Taiwan. Reviewing a series of books about how to defend a democratic Taiwan, Buruma shows that Taiwan’s would-be boosters are calling not just for missiles and drones, but the emergence of a militaristic and warrior culture. Amidst the calls for a resurgence of the fighting spirit, Buruma reminds us of the nuance and complexity of history.06-29-2024
As Reality Fades
One man lies so unapologetically and with such bravado that reality seems to retreat in the face of his passionate conviction. The other man is confused, seemingly losing track of the world as it passes him by. Within minutes of the beginning of the U.S. presidential debate on Thursday, it was clear to anyone watching that Joe Biden is too mentally incapacitated to run an effective campaign for President. It is equally obvious that Donald Trump has no business being President for a second term. Beyond the obvious, what is so terrifying about our political moment is the way that both sides have become so fully committed to lying. 06-28-2024
Courage to Be Student Fellow Reflection: Julia Kiernan
What kind of courage does it take to reach into unknowing? How can justice come about from a courageous artistic practice? As much as speaking up can be a political act, how can moments of silence bring about change? These are all questions approached by poet, musician, and artist Jerome Ellis in his performance and lecture, which was the second installment in the Courage to Be series in the 2024 spring semester. 06-26-2024
The Second Founding
We celebrated Juneteenth National Independence Day this week on June 19, a Federal Holiday since 2021. As the newest Federal Holiday and the first new Federal Holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day established in 1983, the country is still figuring out the meaning of Juneteenth. One imagines that sometime soon there will be Juneteenth sales and Juneteenth greeting cards. But as the Holiday lurches toward consumerism, it is also important that we build a narrative around the meaning of Juneteenth as a National Independence Day. Towards that end, Condoleezza Rice argues that Juneteenth celebrates the second founding of the United States.06-22-2024