Tolstoy's Political Thought
Christian Anarcho-Pacifist Iconoclasm Then and Now
Description (from back cover)
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’s teachings have been relayed by the church through traditional creeds and dogma, his passionate rejection of political violence both by the state and those working for reform, his plea for a non-violent 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, both by his admirers, who included Gandhi, and his critics.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Background to Tolstoy’s Political Thought
Tolstoy’s personal and intellectual journey
Yasnaya Polyana
Aristocratic education
Army service in Chechnya and Crime
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
Chapter 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
Chapter 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
Chapter 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’
Chapter 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
Chapter 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 it 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
Endorsements
"This book provides a much-needed comprehensive analysis of Tolstoy’s writings on a range of interconnected and vitally important topics, such as his unequivocal opposition to violence at multiple levels, his challenge to the role of the state in imposing order and control on society, and constructive nonviolent possibilities for political activism. Tolstoy’s contribution to the discussion of such seminal issues has been marginalised for far too long, and this thorough and provocative examination of Tolstoy’s thought demonstrates not only its historical importance but its continuing intellectual and practical relevance." – Iain Atack, University of Dublin, Ireland.
"Tolstoy's Political Thought is a really terrific and timely book. Clearly and eloquently written, it fills a real gap in Tolstoy studies by systematising the iconoclast's prolific, eclectic and often confronting works. In the process, Alexandre Chritoyannopoulos powerfully demonstrates that Tolstoy's thought on pacifism, anarchism, anticlericalism, asceticism and activism is as relevant today as when it was first published. This book will speak to a wide audience. Highly recommended." - Richard Jackson, University of Otago, New Zealand
"In this thoughtful and engaging study, Alexandre Christoyannopoulos carefully unpicks key strands of Tolstoy’s political thought - pacifism, anarchism, anti-clericalism, asceticism – locating them in their proper context, exploring both their influence and their contemporary relevance, and setting out the counter-arguments that can and have been put forward to challenge them. This important volume is based on deep engagement with Tolstoy’s work, and with Christian anarchist thought more broadly. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in the development and application of Tolstoy’s ideas." – Charlotte Alston, Northumbria University, UK
"As time goes on, many of Tolstoy’s uncompromising ideas about violence have proved to be remarkably prescient. Alexandre Christoyannopoulos has written a lucid study of his political thought which is particularly valuable in its systematic approach and its twenty-first century viewpoint." - Rosamund Bartlett, author of Tolstoy: a Russian Life.
Reviews
By Evert van der Zweerde in Studies in East European Thought (2020).
Further information
The introduction is available as a free download here.
A short 20-minute video mostly talking about the book is available here.
Further information can be found on the publisher's webpage.
A free chapter which summarises many of the main arguments of the book is available here.