Abstract
Arendt on Nationalism and European Nation State Abstract This paper explores Hannah Arendt's critique of nationalism and the European model of the nation state. Arendt's interpreters (e.g.
M. Cannovan) often argue that Arendt regards West European civic nationalism - in contrast to Central and East European tribal nationalism which she clearly condemns - as a positive phenomenon that is actually indispensable for the functioning of modern democracy While such interpretation may seem plausible in the light of the The Origins of Totalitarianism, Arendt's later works (most importantly On Revolution) reveal that her critique of nationalism goes much deeper.
Arendt, as I argue, regards nationalism in all of its forms as a fundamentally tribal and hence anti-political movement. More importantly, she is highly critical of the European model of democratic nation state itself.
A viable model of a political formation that could accommodate democratic politics in modern world is for Arendt represented not by the European nation state, but by decentralized federal republic epitomized by the United States. The paper consists of three parts.
The first part is devoted to Arendt's critique of nationalism. The second part shifts attention to Arendt's dichotomy between nation state and federal republic.
The final part examines the relevance of Arendt's critique of nationalism in the light of recent political developments such as the quest for common European identity, the persisting problems of European states with the integration of immigrants, or the recent rise of anti-Muslim and xenophobic sentiments across Europe.