New Books In Political Science

In this episode of Madison’s Notes, we sit down with Lindsay Stonebridge, author of We Are Free to Change the World: Hannah Arendt’s Lessons in Love and Disobedience (Hogarth, 2024) to explore the enduring relevance of Hannah Arendt’s thought. Stonebridge dives into Arendt’s remarkable ability to teach students how to think, not just what to think, and reflects on Arendt’s own intellectual journey—a mind in constant dialogue with itself. We discuss how Arendt’s conception of thinking serves as a powerful resistance to totalitarian ideologies, emphasizing the importance of critical engagement with the world. Stonebridge also unpacks Arendt’s belief in the necessity of natality—the idea that cultures open to new beginnings and the emergence of free individuals are essential for societal evolution. Central to Arendt’s vision of political community are the concepts of promises and forgiveness, which Stonebridge argues are not mere sentimental ideals but profound, deeply rooted principles with origins in Christian