The theory of totalitarian leadership
Document Type
Book chapter
Source Publication
The Anthem companion to Hannah Arendt
Publication Date
1-1-2017
First Page
221
Last Page
248
Publisher
Anthem Press
Abstract
This chapter examines Arendt's theory of totalitarian leadership. It begins with her description of "the masses,'' proceeds to her account of Hitler and Stalin as rulers of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, and concludes with a discussion of Arendt as a covert sociologist: a thinker who recurrently resorts to sociological explanations, despite her express opposition to sociology as a discipline. Throughout this chapter, Arendt's notion of leadership is contrasted with the Weberian idea of charismatic domination, an idea she thought absurd when applied to totalitarian conditions.
Additional Information
ISBN of the source publication: 9781783081851
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Baehr, P. (2017). The theory of totalitarian leadership. In P. Baehr & P. Walsh (Eds.), The Anthem companion to Hannah Arendt (pp. 221-248). London: Anthem Press.