Emperors and Elections: Reconciling the Orthodox Tradition With Modern Politics [Hardcover]

Nikolas K. Gvosdev (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2000 | ISBN-10: 1560728515 | ISBN-13: 978-1560728511

Can the social and political values of Orthodox Christianity play a role in stabilising democratic-republican regimes in the states which comprise the traditional heartland of Orthodoxy? For sixteen centuries, from the time of Constantine to the rise of Lenin, the orthodox world was characterised by a close relationship between imperial throne and holy altar. To what extent, however, is this the only acceptable pattern for defining the relationship between Church and political society? This work seeks to reexamine the traditional understanding of the role of the Emperor in the Orthodox world as well as to provide insight into the Orthodox notion of 'conciliarity' as reflected both in Church and state structures of the historic Orthodox world. Far from being a semi-divine figure, the Emperor's position in the Church developed based on his position as the representative of the laity. The concept of popular election is not a modern or 'Western' idea but very much rooted in the historic experience of local Orthodox congregations and communities. The Fathers of the Church saw human beings as being gifted with free will, reason, and responsibility, capable of self-determination an choice. Not only can Orthodoxy comfortably co-exist with the institutions of modern democracy, Orthodox concepts about the dignity of the individual and the importance of the community can make a valuable contribution to modern political thought. A short discussion on Orthodox attitudes towards economic problems and education is also included.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nikolas Gvosdev

Product Details

• Hardcover: 169 pages
• Publisher: Nova Science Pub Inc (December 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560728515
• ISBN-13: 978-1560728511
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,772,240 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars New Book On Orthodoxy and Democracy, April 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Emperors and Elections: Reconciling the Orthodox Tradition With Modern Politics (Hardcover)

From Johnson's Russia List #4691 (December 16, 2000)

Those interested in Orthodoxy and politics will want to take note of the appearance of Emperors and Elections: Reconciling the Orthodox Tradition with Modern Politics (Troitsa Books, 2000), by Dr. Nikolas K. Gvosdev,
Associate Director of the J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University.

The book tackles the question of whether Orthodox Christianity can play a role in stabilizing democratic and republican traditions in the states that comprise the traditional heartland of Eastern Orthodoxy. Relying on a
detailed analysis of history and doctrine, Gvosdev finds that, not only can Orthodoxy co-exist with the institutions of modern democracy, but that "Orthodox concepts about the dignity of the individual and the importance of the community can make a valuable contribution to modern political
thought."

Review comment by Dr. Nicolai N. Petro, University of Rhode Island