Abstract

Since 1974, when Aleksandr Sokhenitsyn's Letter to the Soviet Leaders was published after his exile from the Soviet Union, a schism has developed in the previously unified dissident movement into two conflicting political-ideological currents: national-authoritarian and liberal-democratic. This article focuses on Sokhenitsyn's essay. The Mortal Danger: How Misconceptions About Russia Imperil America, It is my thesis that Sokhenitsyn's political vision of a benevolent authoritarian order based on a revival of Russian nationalism begs the question of individual freedom, the rule of law, and genuine spiritual rebirth. Only human rights, the rights of the individual, each person's spiritual freedom have real meaning in the struggle against communist totalitarianism. Such a struggle is impossible without a spiritual and religious renaissance that restores the highest value, the value of each individual person.