ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to bring out the similarities and differences between Arendt's and Marx's conceptions of history and to state the position of Arendt as to whether she is a Marxist or non-Marxist. In the words of Philip Hansen “Arendt sees Marx as the last great thinker in the western traditional political thought.” Also, Young-Bruehl talking about the relationship between Arendt and Marx writes: “Towering over the work of Arendt is the figure of Karl Max” Young-Bruehl, 278). From the foregoing one might be tempted to conclude that Arendt was a Marxist. But, can this be true? In attempt to answer this question birthed this paper. The work uses the proper method of philosophical analysis which includes; the use of the method of exposition , the analysis of terms and concepts where necessary and general evaluation of arguments. The paper uncovered that though, Marx's and Arendt's conceptions of history shares a lot of common grounds in relation to methodology and focus but concluded that Arendt had a conservative conception of history while Marx believes in the dynamics of inevitable change in historical development of the society.