Russian Political Philosophy: Anarchy, Authority, Autocracy - Paperback

by Evert Van Der Zweerde (Author)

Political philosophy in Russia has always sought, and sometimes found, a middle way between embracing anarchy and searching for authority. Political philosophy in Russia has never before been the subject of a scholarly monograph. While historical factors make this understandable, the topic deserves our attention more than ever, now that Russia, after a short Soviet century, has regained self-assurance as a world power. Its unique historical trajectory, and the specific role of philosophy in it, are of interest to many fields of research and, beyond that, broader audiences. A focus on political philosophy as it existed and exists in Russia despite periods of marginalisation and suppression, allows us to understand its specific character, importance and relevance, and to realise that, in trying to think philosophically, critically, and reflectively about the political reality that shapes them, Russian thinkers are not essentially different from philosophers elsewhere. Hence, many lessons that can be learned from this subject.

Back Jacket

Explores the development of political philosophy in Russia Covering tsarist, Soviet and post-Soviet Russia, this book traces how Russian thinkers have, in the course of history, been thinking about the political. It examines the past and the present state of political philosophy in Russia chronologically and conceptually, to highlight its distinctive character, importance and universal relevance. The book presents original interpretations of major figures such as Vladimir I. Lenin and Vladimir S. Solov'ëv, highlights the Russian roots of Ayn Rand and Alexandre Kojève and introduces less well-known thinkers including Semën L. Frank and Maria Skobtsova. Drawing from primary sources, the book provides access to a world of thought and brings the rich history of political philosophy in Russia to life. Evert van der Zweerde is Professor of Social and Political Philosophy in the department of Ethics and Political Philosophy at Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.

Author Biography

Evert van der Zweerde is professor of Social and Political Philosophy at the department of Ethics and Political Philosophy at Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands.