Abstract

The philosopher Hannah Arendt distinguishes between making and doing politics. To make politics is to behave strategically like one is playing a chess game, in hopes of being able to control the results. Naomi Nagata opted to get her hands dirty by making politics. Politics is motivated by a love of the world and of being part of it. Naomi goes back and forth between doing and making politics, as though politics were some kind of dance. Naomi's previous partner, Inaros, and current one, Holden, symbolize her relationship with politics and her search for a better way. The strategic attempt by Holden and the crew of the Rocinante to destroy uncertainty, as represented by the protomolecule, turned out to be a bad replacement for transparency, dialogue, and sharing responsibility.