The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel (Pitt Series in Russian and East European Studies) [Hardcover]

Aviezer Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Series: Pitt Series in Russian and East European Studies | Publication Date: May 2000

Theory meets practice in The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel, a critical study of the philosophy and political practice of the Czech dissident movement Charter 77. Aviezer Tucker examines how the political philosophy of Jan Patocka (19071977), founder of Chaavel's presidency and the eventual corruption of the Velvet Revolution, Tucker demonstrates that the weaknesses in Charter 77 member's understanding of modernity, which did not matter while they were dissidents, seriously harmed their ability to function in a modern democratic system. Within this context, Tucker also examines Havels recent attempt to topple the democratic but corrupt government in 19971998. The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel will be of interest to students of philosophy and politics, scholars and students of Slavic studies, and historians, as well as anyone fascinated by the nature of dissidence.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel is a very interesting, rich discussion of the effort to apply philosophical insights to real politics, a retrospective study of that effort, and a deep meditation on the meaning of intellectual responsibility in our time. Tucker writes clearly and obviously knows his subject well. This is first-rate stuff." -- Thomas Rockmore, Duquesne University

... provides insights into the actions of individuals and the institutions whereby we can better understand the nature of the authoritarian regime... -- Brian Loveman, San Diego State University

... very well argued, incisively written, and based on extremely wide reading. The subject matter is one of the greatest importance. -- Jon Elster, Columbia University

...remarkable and complex... philosophical significance and deserves to be better known... An impressively argued work, informative and rewarding. -- Peter Caws, George Washington University

About the Author

Aviezer Tucker is editor of the East European Constitutional Review at New York University. During the 1998-1999 academic year, Tucker was a Mellon postdoctoral research fellow at the Department of Political Science at Columbia University. Previously he taught in the department of Politics and European Studies at Palacky University in the Czech Republic and conducted resepringer will be must reading for labor historians and aficionados of overseas intelligence operations.Paul Buhle, Brown University

Ma document and analyze the central role played by Springer in international affairs, particularly in the formation of AFL-CIOs African policy during the Cold War and African independence movements.

Richards explores the ways in which pan-Africanism, racism, sexism and anti-Communism affected Springers political development, her labor activism, and her relationship with labor leaders in the AFL-CIO, the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), and in African unions. Springers life experiences and work reveal the complex nature of black struggles for equality and justice. A strong supporter of both the AFL-CIhe International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), and in African unions. Springers life experiences and work reveal the complex nature of black struggles for equality and justice. A strong supporter of both the AFL-CIO and the ICFTU, Springer nonetheless recognized that both organizations were fraught with racism, sexism, and ethnocentrism. She also understood that charges of Communism were often used as a way to thwart African American demands for social justice. As an African-American, she found herself in the unenviable position of promoting to Africans the ideals of American democracy from which she was excluded from fully enjoying.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 295 pages
• Publisher: Univ of Pittsburgh Pr (Txt) (May 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822941244
• ISBN-13: 978-0822941248
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,123,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Foundations of Political Theory First Book Honorable Mention, May 29, 2001

By 

Jacob T. Levy (Montreal, QC, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel (Pitt Russian East European) (Paperback)

This book has been awarded one of two Honorable Mentions for the 2001 Best First Book Prize from the Foundations of Political Theory division of the American Political Science Association. The citation reads as follows:

In The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel, Aviezer Tucker provides a captivating critical narrative of the Charter 77 movement in Czechoslovakia and of the ideas that inspired it. The result is an informative and provocative case study of the intersection of theory and praxis during a pivotal time in Eastern European politics. Patocka was the pre-eminent Czech philosopher during the thirteen year career of the Charter 77 movement, and his philosophy played a central role in its history. His life and fate, as Tucker observes, parallels that of Socrates in Athens; and Havel's role as a philosopher president presented him with the kind of problems Plato confronted in his reforming mission to Syracuse. Tucker illuminates this important chapter in recent history and provides thoughtful critical commentary on the post-Heideggerian and phenomenological ideas that his subjects brought to life.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Students of Czech history: read this book now!, February 17, 2001

By 

"mrwaage" (Princeton, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel (Pitt Series in Russian and East European Studies) (Hardcover)

This highly readable book is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in the roots of the dissident movement in communist Czechoslovakia. Tucker describes the philosophical heritage of key members of Charter 77 with amazing clarity. He also does a great job of explaining the political and historical context of their thoughts.

Please note that the book is not an encyclopedic account of Czech dissident thought. "From Patocka to Havel" in the title might better be phrased "OF Patocka AND Havel," since the work of other Czech dissidents are mentioned mostly in reference to these two men's theories. However, as theoretical background to a complex issue, this book is well worth reading.