Political Platonism: The Philosophy of Politics

by Alexander Dugin

Alexander Dugin’s Political Platonism offers a seminal analysis of the contemporary philosophical crisis from one of the best-known writers and political commentators in post-Soviet Russia. Through a series of essays, course transcripts, and a single long interview—each remarkable for the depth of its learning and the boldness of its vision—Dugin exposes the profoundest roots of the Western philosophical tradition, offering his view of why it has reached its final terminus, and his indication of where a new beginning must be sought.

The works collected in this volume present Dugin’s theory of Political Platonism as a fundamental philosophical and political orientation, capable at once of reviving higher political and social forms and furnishing solid ground for resistance to the collapse of the contemporary world. His multi-perspective thesis offers a thorough and thought-provoking critique of modernity and a masterful survey of Western philosophy, reaching from before Heraclitus to beyond Heidegger. In its provocative, clear-sighted analyses and its visionary flights, this book provides an invaluable reference for those already familiar with Dugin, and an intriguing introduction for those coming to him for the first time.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, History, International Relations, Government, Society, Nonfiction

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 17, 2019

About the author

Aleksandr Gelyevich Dugin (Russian: Александр Гельевич Дугин, born 7 January 1962) is a Russian philosopher and activist. As a founder of the Russian Geopolitical School and the Eurasian Movement, Dugin is considered as one of the most important exponents of modern Russian conservative thought in the line of slavophiles. He earned his PhD in Sociology, in Political sciences, and also in Philosophy. During six years (2008 – 2014), he was the head of the Department of Sociology of International Relations in Sociological Faculty of Moscow State University. His publications include more than sixty books such as Foundations of Geopolitics, Fourth Political Theory, Theory of Multipolar World, Noomakhia (24 volumes), Ethnosociology. The influence of Dugin’s thought on modern day Russia (including political leaders) is recognized by not only his followers but also his philosophical and political opponents. His ideas are sometimes judged controversial or nonconformist but almost all agree that they are inspiring and original.

Reviews

[Kaiserberg]

While seemingly confusing and frustrating at first given its format being based on transcriptions from his lectures and being swamped with references to Hellenic mythology, by the end one comes to appreciate and understand Dugin's metaphorical and poetic way of writing, where every word is polysemous yet it is all coherent in the author's stream of dialogue. We notice this especially in the second half of the work after the interview, where the words "chaos" and "Logos" possess multiple meanings yet Dugin makes it possible that they all make sense in the same sentence.

It is also in that section where one also can truly grasp the "first principles" behind Dugin's theories of geopolitics. Though by reading his other works which are primarily concerned with them (i.e The Theory of a Multipolar World) one can coherently follow his reasoning and formulations, it is only in the second half of Political Platonism that one can truly start to understand his vision of a multipolar world and its relations to different Logoi, as well as the links between the tragic death of Logos (as pioneered by Western Philosophy since the Greeks, already containing the seeds for its own demise) and its geopolitical implications (the Western world being the post-modern representative of this degenerated Logos, which it hasn't been able to escape from and create "a new beginning" despite its basis having already been shattered.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a nutshell Dugin proposes that politics need philosophy to work properly. He gives examples of different types of pairings of philosophy and politics and states that what may be popular in the west is not suitable for Russia.

[Mason Masters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of essays, some interesting thoughts contained. Simple introduction to Dugin's ideas, succinctly put.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with his critique of democracy and his historical analysis of pre Socratic’s. But then it rambles on like he just read Heidegger drunk and he creates this bizarre strategy to counter western modernity with a twisted interpretation of being and time and Plato. I’d recommend the first 3 chapters then throw it in the trash. I can’t imagine Putin listening to this modern day Rasputin anything beyond the valid points about the degradation of western society and traditionalism within Russia.

[Aleksandar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best work by Dugin

When I started reading this book, I was really excited, especially after reading the first two chapters which were really interesting and raised my expectations about a critique of the modern world from a political Platonist perspective. Instead, this work is a compilation of essays, broadly connected by "Platonism", and the majority of them cover deeply philosophical aspects which make them difficult to follow - especially as, firstly there is a difficulty of translation, and secondly they require more extensive knowledge of Ancient Greek philosophy, as well as Heidegger. The chapter on Traditionalism in Russia was interesting, but other than that one and the first two chapters, the remainder of the book was hard to read and relatively uninteresting to me.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of Dugin's works provides a valuable insight into the effect Plato has had on all of political philosophy and the necessary interconnection between the two fields. He utilizes Heidegger's existentialism alongside Plato to show readers how to theorize and conceive of political ideas and theories. He promotes traditionalism, the rejection of modernity, since Russia can't rely on Western dogmas. Some parts of the text are weaker than others, though. The noomanchy text and some of the platitudes about Plato and traditional metaphysics are overstated or redundant. Otherwise, this is a great text for understanding contemporary political thinking, the influence of Plato, religious or cultural tradionalism, and the development of new political theories. Concise, easy to follow, and enjoyable to read. I highly recommend this text. Works well alongside Plato's texts, I'd recommend reading those as well.

[Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this text, Dugin mainly discusses his Noomakhia, Plato from the standpoint of political philosophy (including the homology between philosophy and politics), Neo-platonism, traditionalism, and Heidegger with his search for a New Beginning for philosophy; the philosophy of Chaos as opposed to Logos.

Interesting read. Deeply philosophical, obviously, and even somewhat esoteric. Though fairly accessible in most chapters.

[Radu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A largely esoteric series of essays on Dugin's philosophy regarding how what is popular in the west may not necessarily be compatible with Russian cultural identity and values. In truth, not his best work, but an interesting series of essays nonetheless.

[Mike Lisanke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not well-studied on philosophy and so many references in this book were lost on me. I'll endeavor to read more of the mentioned (in this book) philosophers which might explain to me why I think the way I do and others completely different.

[Rogue Podcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.

[Sakramar Guliyev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting guide on history of political ideologies