Conclusion
For Arendt , it is this commitment to a shared public space alone that enables the possibility for power to spring up in the world . Thus , power cannot be ‘ power over ’ others because it can only come into existence through the particular coming together of people into a group . Importantly , it is the plurality of human beings , then , their unique distinctness as individuals and their shared commonalty as members of the same species , that ensures that , ‘ so long as the group keeps together ,’ 27 the power generated by said group remains intact . Thus power is not some , ‘ unchangeable , measurable , and reliable entity ,’ 28 belonging to one individual , but rather something that can arise , ‘ wherever people gather together ,’ and so long as people do that , power is , ‘ potentially there … [ but ] not necessarily and not forever .’ 29 Within Arendt ’ s understanding of power , it is not enough for human beings to just be together in the same space in order for power to spring forth between them , they must actively seek to create the conditions for this ‘ springing forth ’ by engaging each other with words and deeds within this shared space ; only by acting-inconcert with each other , then , by speaking and working together can power be achieved .
27
Hannah Arendt , Crises of the Republic : Lying in Politics , Civil Disobedience , On Violence , Thoughts on Politics and Revolution . ( San Diego ; New York : Harcourt Brace , 1972 ), 143
28
Arendt , The Human Condition , 200
29
Arendt , The Human Condition , 199