Ivan Ilyin, Putin's Philosopher of Russian Fascism
Timothy Snyder
13 min
6 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Explore the ideologies of Ivan Ilyin, the philosopher who greatly influenced Putin's political strategies, and understand the roots of Russian Fascism.
You'll learn
1. How Ivan Ilyin's ideas shape Putin's rule2. A quick look at Russian Fascism's history3. The ideas behind Putin's political moves4. How Ilyin's thoughts affect today's Russian politics5. How philosophy shapes political beliefs6. What might happen with Russian Fascism under Putin.Key points
01The birth of Russian fascism: A metaphorical chat between a Russian, God, and the devil
Ivan Ilyin, a Russian philosopher, had some pretty big ideas about politics and religion. Timothy Snyder wrote a book about him, focusing on how Ilyin's ideas have shaped modern Russian politics, especially the rise of Russian fascism. Ilyin's main idea was about "law" or "legal consciousness". Before the Russian Revolution, which happened between 1917 and 1923, Ilyin thought of law as a way to help Russians become part of a global community. He believed that if Russia followed the rule of law, it could leave behind its old-fashioned, feudal past and become a modern country. But after the Revolution, Ilyin's ideas changed a lot. He started to think that it wasn't the "mind" but the "soul" that made Russians see dictatorial power as law. This was a big change from his earlier belief in the rule of law. Now, he thought that a country should be governed based on spiritual or moral authority, not legal principles. This change in Ilyin's thinking set the stage for Russian fascism. The Russian Federation, which was created after the Soviet Union fell apart, hasn't fully accepted the rule of law as a way to govern. Instead, it's adopted a style of government that's a lot like what Ilyin was talking about after the Revolution. The idea of Russian supremacy, as it exists today, is a new take on Ilyin's ideas. Ilyin's philosophy has had a big effect on Russian politics in the 21st century. His idea that the rule of law failing was a moral problem has been used by Russian leaders to say that economic inequality is a good thing for the country. Also, Ilyin's idea of turning international politics into a discussion about "spiritual threats" has been used to paint the United States, Ukraine, and Europe as threats to Russia's existence. In short, Ilyin's philosophy has given a philosophical basis for the rise of Russian fascism. His ideas have been used to justify a style of government that's based on spiritual or moral authority, not legal principles. This has had a big effect on Russian politics, shaping how it deals with issues at home and abroad.
02Understanding Ilyin's life to get his philosophy
Ivan Ilyin, a Russian philosopher, started off with a hopeful outlook on the Russian peasantry and city folk. But he soon became disheartened by what he saw as their "sexual perversion." This led him to suggest in 1913 that this perversion was a national syndrome, something that was part of the Russian people's DNA. To tackle this problem, Ilyin turned to the theories of Sigmund Freud, a famous psychologist known for his work on psychoanalysis. Ilyin saw himself as a pioneer in the field of national psychotherapy, with a mission to cure the Russian people of their supposed perversion. By the time World War I started, Ilyin's philosophical views had changed. He believed he could see a metaphysical reality through a physical one. This belief led him to write a dissertation about the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. Ilyin interpreted Hegel's use of the term "Spirit" as a reference to "God" and believed that God was the creator of history. However, his views didn't catch on, and he didn't have much influence. In 1917, Ilyin started a philosophical conversation with Vladimir Lenin, the leader of the Bolshevik Revolution. Lenin had helped Ilyin avoid arrest by the Cheka, the Bolshevik security force. Both philosophers agreed on Hegel's concept of totality, which suggests that all aspects of reality are interconnected. But they didn't see eye to eye on many other topics. Lenin, who didn't believe in God, believed that the main conflict was between the bourgeoisie, or the capitalist class, and the proletariat, or the working class. Despite his revolutionary views, Lenin never doubted that there was a good side to human nature that was being held back by historical circumstances. Ilyin, on the other hand, had a more negative view of human nature and history. He believed that the act of God creating the world was the original sin, implying that the world was inherently flawed. He didn't see any redeeming qualities in the past or in human nature. The Bolshevik Revolution, led by Lenin, confirmed Ilyin's negative view of the world. He concluded that the world was as sinful as he had suspected. As a result, Ilyin believed that a significant political transformation could only begin in the realm of fiction. He suggested that the nation needed strong, authoritative heroes to start its reconstruction. These heroes, according to Ilyin, would be the ones to use their power and authority to rebuild the nation from its sinful state.
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03Ilyin's admiration for Mussolini and his wish for a Russian-born fascism
04Ilyin's blueprint for the perfect national leader
05Putin's implementation of Ilyin's ideas and why it's a red flag
06Conclusion
About Timothy Snyder
Timothy Snyder is an American author and historian specializing in the history of Central and Eastern Europe, and the Holocaust. He is the Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University and a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna.
