I feel thoroughly Trombled—a fantastic review. However, it seems remiss to not connect Tolstoy’s view of a continuous history to his later views—and chiefly, his deep embrace of Georgism. Indeed, Tolstoy’s love for George belies the truth that George did not, as has often been suggested, fail to anticipate the innovations of the marginalists.
I agree that George’s economic ideas were fundamental to the older Tolstoy. Fortunately, the historical context can be given quickly and clearly: Tolstoy himself explained them. I have linked his explanatory letter below.
Tolstoy explains both when (in 1883 - that is 14 years after War & Peace) and how he became convinced by George. From the description in this letter, it seems that Tolstoy was most impressed by Social Problems Chapter 15 - that is, by the analogy to slavery.
Of course, the unique nature of the Russian serf system points to this. In Russia and land could in theory be only bought and sold together, though it was more complex in practice - as Gogol dramatized in Dead Souls. If one is willing to be a glib name dropper, then the continuity of Tolstoy’s thought can be said to go from Rousseau to George around Proudhon.
Of course, despite this continuity Berlin can be forgiven for not including a subject which doesn’t enter directly until at least 14 years after his topic. Thank you again for raising this issue, hopefully you find something in the answer useful.
I feel thoroughly Trombled—a fantastic review. However, it seems remiss to not connect Tolstoy’s view of a continuous history to his later views—and chiefly, his deep embrace of Georgism. Indeed, Tolstoy’s love for George belies the truth that George did not, as has often been suggested, fail to anticipate the innovations of the marginalists.
Thank you so much for your very kind reply.
I agree that George’s economic ideas were fundamental to the older Tolstoy. Fortunately, the historical context can be given quickly and clearly: Tolstoy himself explained them. I have linked his explanatory letter below.
Tolstoy explains both when (in 1883 - that is 14 years after War & Peace) and how he became convinced by George. From the description in this letter, it seems that Tolstoy was most impressed by Social Problems Chapter 15 - that is, by the analogy to slavery.
Of course, the unique nature of the Russian serf system points to this. In Russia and land could in theory be only bought and sold together, though it was more complex in practice - as Gogol dramatized in Dead Souls. If one is willing to be a glib name dropper, then the continuity of Tolstoy’s thought can be said to go from Rousseau to George around Proudhon.
Of course, despite this continuity Berlin can be forgiven for not including a subject which doesn’t enter directly until at least 14 years after his topic. Thank you again for raising this issue, hopefully you find something in the answer useful.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Letter_on_Henry_George_(I)