Hannah Arendt, a prominent 20th-century political philosopher, explored the implications of loneliness in her work, particularly The Origins of Totalitarianism. She argued that loneliness arises when societies lack shared facts or a collective will to tackle communal issues, weakening social bonds. This disconnection allows demagogues to thrive by preying on a populace that feels isolated and mistrustful. With isolation becoming a norm rather than an exception, Arendt foresaw the dangers of authoritarianism, stressing the importance of community and collective action in sustaining democratic values.
In The Origins of Totalitarianism, Arendt emphasized one primary factor in the rise of authoritarianism that has little obvious connection to politics: loneliness.
Loneliness happens when there are no shared objective facts and no potential collective action to solve shared challenges.
Loneliness inflames the connective tissues of a society. It weakens the body politic so that demagogues and despots can prey.
What prepares men for totalitarian domination is the fact that loneliness has become an everyday experience.
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