Contending with Demons

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Dostoevsky’s Demons is the most profound 19th century reflection on the problem of modernist ideology. Dostoevsky’s ideologues feel their freedom in angry acts of ridicule and negation aimed at the old order, while indistinctly imagining a future unprejudiced world beyond patriotism, faith, and family. Destruction is the aim of modern ideology—albeit revolutionaries never accomplish enough destruction for the promised construction to begin. Dostoevsky’s ideologists resemble today’s destructive identitarians, just as Dostoevsky’s remedies to the problem mirror conversations about “national conservatism” today.
Original languageAmerican English
JournalLaw & Liberty
StatePublished - 17 Oct 2019

Keywords

  • Fyodor Dostoevsky
  • identity politics
  • ideology
  • revolution
  • violence

EGS Disciplines

  • Speech and Rhetorical Studies
  • American Politics

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