Tolstoy’s Political Thought: Christian Anarcho-Pacifist Iconoclasm Then and Now

Description

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910), besides writing famous novels such as War and Peace, also wrote on political issues, especially later in his life, putting forward a political philosophy which might be termed 'Christian anarchism'. This book provides a comprehensive overview of Tolstoy’s political thought. It outlines in a systematic way Tolstoy’s thought, which was originally articulated unsystematically in diverse, often informal writing, such as pamphlets, letters, and speeches, as well as books, and in his novels, where Tolstoy’s thinking is put forward implicitly through the novels’ characters. The book sets out the basic themes of Tolstoy’s political thought: his acceptance of the teachings of Jesus, his criticism of the way in which Jesus’ teachings have been relayed by the church through traditional creeds and dogma, his passionate rejection of political violence by both the state and those working for reform, his plea for a nonviolent response to violence and injustice, and his call for society to forego its institutional shackles and enact a community of peace, love, and justice. The book also includes background information on the Russia of Tolstoy’s time, including the religious context, and a discussion of how Tolstoy’s political thought has been received by his admirers, who included Gandhi, and his critics. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Gratitude Limitations Introduction: the background to Tolstoy’s political thought Tolstoy’s personal and intellectual journey Yasnaya Polyana Aristocratic education Army service in Chechnya and Crimea European travels and pedagogical experiments Witnessing the miseries of civilisation The quest for a meaningful life The ‘second’ Tolstoy Tolstoy’s ‘Christianity’ ‘Religion’ up to Tolstoy’s conversion Tolstoy’s deistic metaphysics Tolstoy’s political purpose 1 Tolstoyan pacifism The context of Tolstoy’s pacifism Tolstoy’s pacifism Taking a cue from Jesus Ethical arguments against violence Jesus’ alternative approach Nonviolent defiance Criticisms of Tolstoyan pacifism ‘Jesus did not mean it literally’ ‘What about children under attack and foreign invaders?’ ‘It will masochistically destroy human civilisation’ ‘Violence is part of human nature’ ‘ “Violence” needs to be defined’ Tolstoyan pacifism beyond its context Tolstoy’s place in the pacifist tradition An interpretation of Jesus’ ethics Opening our eyes to violence Anticipating more recent scholarship and practice 2 Tolstoyan anarchism The context of Tolstoy’s anarchism Tolstoy’s anarchism War, militarism, and imperialism Legislation and coercion The judicial system Economic enslavement A glorified protection racket Hypocritical elite gestures Evasion of responsibility Patriotism Education Anarchist alternatives Criticisms of Tolstoyan anarchism ‘The best states administer valuable public goods’ ‘States protect us from evil’ ‘Anarchism is no realistic alternative today’ Tolstoyan anarchism beyond its context The impact of Tolstoy’s anarchism Unhiding the violence of the globalised political economy Admitting moral responsibility 3 Tolstoyan anticlericalism The context of Tolstoy’s anticlericalism Tolstoy’s anticlericalism Tolstoy’s hardening rejection of the church Obscuring Jesus’ moral teaching Implausible creeds Robotic and hypnotic rituals Self-assured hypocrites A pact with the devil Criticisms of Tolstoyan anticlericalism ‘ “Reason” is a problematic foundation’ ‘Tolstoy’s “Christianity” is unrecognisable’ ‘Not all churches are like Tolstoy’s Russian Orthodox Church’ Tolstoyan anticlericalism beyond its context Anticlericalism since Tolstoy The torch of rational scrutiny Knowing false prophets by their fruits Secular ‘clericalisation’ 4 Tolstoyan asceticism The context of Tolstoy’s asceticism Tolstoy’s asceticism Sex and marriage Intoxicating luxuries and meat-eating Good and bad art Criticisms of Tolstoyan asceticism ‘What patriarchal purism, sexism, and misogyny!’ ‘What desolate self-denial!’ ‘Art is reduced to moralising propaganda’ Tolstoyan asceticism beyond its content Gender politics Intoxicating distractions Vegetarianism 5 Tolstoyan activism The context of Tolstoy’s activism Tolstoy’s activism Resisting violent temptations Withdrawing consent and complicity Co-operative ‘bread labour’ Prefigurative transformation Marching with history Tolstoy’s own example Criticisms of Tolstoyan activism ‘Nonviolent activism is ineffective’ ‘Nonviolent activism has dubious origins and consequences’ ‘Tolstoyan examples prove that Tolstoyism cannot work’ Tolstoyan activism beyond its context Nonviolent activism since Tolstoy Taking a Tolstoyan stand today A greener way of life Conclusion: Tolstoy as a political thinker Tolstoy’s reputation Labelling Tolstoy Taking Tolstoy seriously Bibliography Index