Arendt and Jewish Politics

Abstract

Hannah Arendt’s rich discussion on Jewish politics included not only the historical and theoretical exploration of Jewish politics but also much policy level thinking which was stimulated by particular time and situation. She criticized Zionism at many aspects and had been never a Zionist although she once worked for Zionist Organization. Apart from Zionist’s ideal about the foundation of a Jewish sovereignty state, Arendt argued for the establishment of Jewish home, a federal system based on different people’s coordination, which was in accordance with her essential understanding of the political and disclosed the main characteristics of her thought. As Arendt suggested, one should have the sense of reality when thinking about politics, uphold the principles of freedom and justice, let politics be the people’s politics and a people must fight for freedom bravely. The nation politics problems should be solved in the framework of European union even world politics instead of the odd Nation-state system. What was consistent in Arendt’s political thought was her maintenance and explication of the Enlightenment spirit. With the development of her political thought, her criticism of the sovereign state system had also become increasingly clear.