| ID | 147239 |
| Title Proper | Political characterology |
| Other Title Information | on the method of theorizing in hannah arendt's origins of totalitarianism |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | SIGWART, HANS-JÖRG |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Notwithstanding its status as a modern classic, Hannah Arendt's study on The Origins of Totalitarianism is generally considered to be lacking a clearly reflected methodological basis. This article challenges this view and argues that in her study Arendt implicitly applies a characterological method of political theorizing that provides a genuine conceptual framework for systematically connecting structural analysis with ideographic historical investigations and with a political theory of action. On this conceptual basis, the study renders an analysis of anti-Semitism, imperialism, and totalitarianism not merely in terms of abstract structural concepts, but in terms of dynamic character-context constellations. Arendt's account not only shows interesting parallels to a number of similar conceptual reflections, especially in the 20th century's theory debate; it can also serve to inspire the current debate on methodology in political theory. |
| `In' analytical Note | American Political Science Review Vol. 110, No.2; May 2016: p.265-277 |
| Journal Source | American Political Science Review 2016-06 110, 2 |
| Key Words | Hannah Arendt ; Political Characterology ; Method of Theorizing ; Origins of Totalitarianism ; Characterological Method ; Political Theorizing |