Vaclav Havel and the Political Uses of Tragedy

In: Political theory: an international journal of political philosophy, Band 30, Heft 2, S. 228-258

Abstract

Examines the political philosophy & biography of Vaclav Havel, president of the postcommunist Czech Republic. It is argued that Havel's political approach resists easy classification. On the one hand, he can be viewed as antifoundationalist, particularly in his ideas of "radical democracy." A tendency toward a more classical humanistic conceptualization of politics is also noted, however, in Havel's ideas on morality, freedom, & politics. He also demonstrates a tension between the postmodern deconstruction of authority & a classical affirmation of authority, between transformation & tradition. Parallels are drawn between the situation of political crisis characterizing the demise of the Czech communist system & classic Greek tragedy; the numerous references to tragedy in Havel's political writings are offered as examples, highlighting his identification of the significant role of tragedy in the struggle for freedom. K. Hyatt Stewart