The Emergence of Russian Liberalism

A fresh perspective on the history of Russian liberalism through the life and work of Alexander Kunitsyn, a teacher and philosopher of natural law, whose academic and journalistic writings contributed to the dissemination of Western liberal thought among the Russian public.

"The Emergence of Russian Liberalism is a meticulous intellectual biography that will be of great use to historians of Russian social thought and literature. Berest s careful, sequential and deeply knowledgeable reconstruction of Alexander Kunitsyn s life is an impressive accomplishment. It shows how liberalism - as an ideology building from a belief in individual moral autonomy to imagine a laissez-faire world of social self-governance - did and did not fit within the great intellectual ferment of Russia s early nineteenth century Golden Age. " - John Randolph, Associate Professor of History, University of Illinois"Julia Berest s book on Alexander Kunitsyn is a serious, important contribution to Russian intellectual history. In general, Russian liberal thought is an under-studied area and our knowledge of its early manifestations is particularly feeble. Berest s book will help to fill these gaps." - Alexander Etkind, Reader in Russian Literature and Cultural History, Department of Slavonic Studies, University of Cambridge"A fascinating study of a significant subject. Berest s careful and original examination of Alexander Kunitsyn and his larger milieu will prove an indispensable source for all who wish to understand the genesis of liberal ideas in Russia." - Eli Nathans, Associate Professor, Department of History, The University of Western Ontario

JULIA BEREST received her Ph.D. in History from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, where she is currently Adjunct Professor of History.