Russian Political Philosophy

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

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.

• Introduction - The Origins of Political Philosophy in RussiaFirst Debates in Russian Political Philosophy – ‘What Is to be Done?’Socialism and Marxism in Russia: The Peasant Commune is Dead - Long Live the Peasant Commune!Christian Political Philosophy in a Modernising World - Preparing for God’s Kingdom Russian Liberalism Revisited - Between a Rock and a Hard PlaceThe Long Russian Revolution - Signposts for a Roller CoasterSoviet Marxism-Leninism and Political Philosophy - Never Mind the Gaps!Christian Political Philosophy in Exile: Between Sobornost’ and TheocracyCounter-Soviet Political Philosophy in Emigration - Beyond the PaleLate and Early Post-Soviet Political Philosophy - Licking the WoundsPolitical Philosophy for a New Russia - New Wine in Old Bottles?Conclusion: Mediation Beyond Duality and Immediacy