On Violence

On Violence by Hannah Arendt is a seminal exploration of one of the most potent forces shaping human history: violence. Written during a time of global upheaval, with the Holocaust, Hiroshima, and the Vietnam War casting long shadows, Arendt's groundbreaking essay delves deeply into the nature, causes, and implications of violence in the twentieth century.

This incisive work dissects the complex relationship between violence, power, war, and politics, presenting a lucid historical analysis that remains profoundly relevant. Arendt contends that violence and power are fundamentally incompatible. According to her, when power is lost, violence rushes in to fill the void, a thought-provoking thesis that provides valuable insight into the chaos of both her time and ours.

With unparalleled clarity and intellectual rigour, Arendt examines the roles of violence in political theory and its impact on modern society. Her arguments challenge readers to reconsider conventional views on the efficacy and morality of violence, posing critical questions about the nature of authority and its sustainability without coercion.

For the first time, On Violence is available as part of the prestigious Penguin Modern Classics series. This edition includes an illuminating introduction by Lyndsey Stonebridge, which contextualises Arendt’s work within contemporary discourses on violence and power, offering readers a fresh perspective on this classic text.

With her masterful combination of theory and historical discourse, Arendt’s On Violence remains an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the enduring and evolving dynamics of violence in the world today.