THE MILITANT PASSION; HANNAH ARENDT’S WRITINGS ON THE REVOLUTIONARY SELF

Abstract

Starting with the excerpts on themes like working class, revolution, engagement and promise, contained in Hannah Arendt’s books and articles my purpose is to reflect on the concept of the revolutionary self, illustrated by the author in several occasions of her writings.It refers to the “extraordinary” (although small scale) accomplishment of the common man, who stands out due to his commitment, resistance, opposition.

The goal of this article is to discuss, folowing some reflections of Hannah Arendt, the feelings that motivate political commitment, its language and internal dynamics, as well as the almost inevitable oscillation between the desire of freedom and the disposition to obedience, between the sincere love for the cause and the tendency to lie.