((The Political and Intellectual Theories of the Russian Thinker Nikolai Berdyaev))

Abstract

This study examines the intellectual position of the Russian thinker Nikolai Berdyaev regarding the Orthodox Church, socialism, and the Russian Revolution of 1917, As one of the leading representatives of Christian existentialism, Berdyaev developed a critical perspective toward both religious and political institutions in late Imperial Russia. He criticized the Orthodox Church for its inability to respond effectively to the profound social and cultural transformations taking place within Russian society, arguing that this failure contributed to the intensification of the spiritual and social crisis that preceded the Revolution. He likewise condemned the imperial regime for fostering conditions of poverty, famine, and social instability, which he regarded as major factors behind the revolutionary upheaval. Simultaneously Berdyaev rejected socialist ideology, contending that it subordinated the individual to collective structures, restricted personal freedom, and overlooked the spiritual dimension of human existence. In contrast he maintained that Christianity provided a more comprehensive foundation for social and political life by affirming the intrinsic dignity of the individual and the principle of spiritual equality before God. Furthermore Berdyaev’s thought incorporated a distinctive conception of the Russian nation as a spiritual and historical community endowed with a universal civilizational mission that transcends the material and political functions of the state. The study concludes that Berdyaev interpreted Russia’s political and social transformations through a framework that integrated religious and political considerations, emphasizing the centrality of freedom, human dignity, and spiritual values in the formation of society and the state.