Russian Political Philosophy
Anarchy, Authority, Autocracy
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Edinburgh University Press
Published:17th Jun '22
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
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.
In this new book, Zweerde traces Russian political philosophy from the Tsarist era to the present. The author asserts that understanding Russian political philosophy requires a knowledge of the context and history of Russian geography and politics. The study begins by underscoring the importance of three factors shaping Russia’s political thought: the early Republican veche and zemstvo traditions, the legacy of the Byzantine era, and the centralized state during the Mongol invasions. From there, the book provides a detailed, thorough analysis of Russia’s political philosophy. Indeed, the breadth and depth of the study is impressive. With Russia once again in the world’s spotlight, Zweerde’s study provides excellent insight into the long and varied history of Russia’s political thought. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and researchers. -- J. R. Clardie * CHOICE review *
In this new book, Zweerde traces Russian political philosophy from the Tsarist era to the present. The author asserts that understanding Russian political philosophy requires a knowledge of the context and history of Russian geography and politics. The study begins by underscoring the importance of three factors shaping Russia’s political thought: the early Republican veche and zemstvo traditions, the legacy of the Byzantine era, and the centralized state during the Mongol invasions. From there, the book provides a detailed, thorough analysis of Russia’s political philosophy. Indeed, the breadth and depth of the study is impressive. With Russia once again in the world’s spotlight, Zweerde’s study provides excellent insight into the long and varied history of Russia’s political thought. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Graduate students, faculty, and researchers. -- J.R. Clardie * CHOICE *
A masterful, substantial, unique study of political thought in Russia to the present, doubling de facto as political history. Van der Zweerde presents salient personalities and themes keeping a close eye on the sucessive social contexts framing them and informs the account by his philosophical conception of 'the political’. Essential reading! * Edward Swiderski, University of Fribourg *
ISBN: 9781474460378
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
280 pages