Representation and democracy in Hannah Arendt

Abstract

This article aims to point out the relevance of Hannah Arendt's concepts of representation, democracy, power and State. Defender of the active participation of citizens as an effective practice of democracy, Arendt always criticized the nation-state model, maintaining an understanding of power as a fundamentally collective element, exercised against the logic of opposition between rulers and ruled. Power is the result of citizens’ responsibilities and the federalization of the State. Democracy also requires the fight against racism, not well understood by Arendt in the case of the United States, a point worthy of reevaluation. However, it is worth reiterating her criticism of a recalcitrant and inequality structure that needs to be modified.