The Philosophy and Politics of Czech Dissidence from Patocka to Havel

by Aviezer Tucker

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 (1907–1977), founder of Charter 77, influenced the thinking and political leadership of Vaclav Havel as dissident and president. Presents the first serious treatment of Havel as philosopher and Patocka as a political thinker. Through the Charter 77 dissident movement in Czechoslovakia, opponents of communism based their civil struggle for human rights on philosophic foundations, and members of the Charter 77 later led the Velvet Revolution. After Patocka’s self-sacrifice in 1977, Vaclav Havel emerged a strong philosophical and political force, and he continued to apply Patocka’s philosophy in order to understand the human condition under late communism and the meaning of dissidence. However, the political/philosophical orientation of the Charter 77 movement failed to provide President Havel with an adequate basis for comprehending and responding to the extraordinary political and economic problems of the postcommunist period. In his discussion of Havel'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 Havel’s recent attempt to topple the democratic but corrupt government in 1997–1998. 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.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Kirsten Tautfest · Rating 5 out of 5]

My comments right now are going to focus on the appendix "In Search of Home."
This is a powerful essay by Tucker that while focusing on the European notion of home and all its psychologic senses and implications, it speaks to a universal time. This essay alone should be read by everyone to help them grapple with the rhetoric of politicians and partisan speak.

[Edward]

I started reading the next to last chapter first " The Velvet Corruption: Czech Politics, 1993-1998." The detail provided here is more than needed but it gives a good overview of the transfer of top tier communist corruption to its second tier leaders who were “reformed” but just as corrupt. In the second chapter the author attempts to explain the philosophical background that led to the Velvet Revolution via two of its principal actors Jan Patocka and Vaclav Havel both of which were educated in philosophy with the former becoming a philosopher and the later a playwright that ultimately became the Czech Republic's first president after the fall of the USSR. The author explains that Patocka was influenced by Plato, Husserl, and Heidegger but I find it is difficult to understand the author's explanations since I am not readily familiar with any of these philosophers works especially Heidegger. I also find this is complicated by the authors seeming to make a big deal of specific points through repetition as if he were filling up white space. Hopefully the remaining chapters will be a little more practical.