Nicolai Petro on ‘The Tragedy of Ukraine’ and Conflict Resolution

In his new book The Tragedy of Ukraine: What Classical Greek Tragedy Can Teach Us About Conflict Resolution, Dr. Nicolai Petro argues that in order to untangle the conflict within the Ukraine, it must be addressed on an emotional as well as institutional level. Petro’s work draws on Richard Ned Lebow’s ‘tragic vision of politics’ and on classical Greek tragedy to assist in understanding the persistence of this conflict. Classical Greek tragedy once served as a mechanism in Athenian society to heal deep social trauma and create more just institutions. The Tragedy of Ukraine reflects on the ways in which ancient Greek tragedy can help us rethink civic conflict and polarization, as well as model ways of healing deep social divisions.
The conversation was moderated by Quincy Institute's Anatol Lieven.