The only indispensable material factor in the generation of power is the living together of people. Only where men live so close together that the potentialities of action are always present can power remain with them, and the foundation of cities, which as city-states have remained paradigmatic for all Western political organization, is therefore indeed the most important material prerequisite for power. What keeps people together after the fleeting moment of action has passed (what we today call "organization") and what, at the same time, they keep alive through remaining together is power. And whoever, for whatever reasons, isolates himself and does not partake in such being together, forfeits power and becomes impotent, no matter how great his strength and how valid his reasons.
Hannah Arendt, The Human Condition, 1958 # 19
Cities as empowerment plants
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Imagine an Altereurope
This quote has been selected as part of one of the collections of Alterlibrary, titled 'Altereurope.'
In it, we find inspirations to imagine an alternative continent of Europe.
In creating this collection, we reflect on the multiple shifts that happen when thinking about Europe from Alterity. We asked ourselves how this shift of perspective might inflitrate our imaginary, challenging our conventional ways of thinking and helping us envision new forms of living together.
Here are some reflections that emerged during the creation of 'Altereurope.'
of our Imagination
