Left and Right: The Significance of a Political DistinctionJohn Wiley & Sons, 2016 M03 31 - 160 pages Following the collapse of communism and the decline of Marxism, some commentators have claimed that we have reached the 'end of history' and that the distinction between Left and Right can be forgotten. In this book - which was a tremendous success in Italy - Norberto Bobbio challenges these views, arguing that the fundamental political distinction between Left and Right, which has shaped the two centuries since the French Revolution, has continuing relevance today. Bobbio explores the grounds of this elusive distinction and argues that Left and Right are ultimately divided by different attitudes to equality. He carefully defines the nature of equality and inequality in relative rather than absolute terms. Left and Right is a timely and persuasively argued account of the basic parameters of political action and debate in the modern world - parameters which have remained constant despite the pace of social change. The book will be widely read and, as in Italy, it will have an impact far beyond the academic domain. |
Contents
Preface to the First Italian Edition | |
Extremists and Moderates | |
In Search of the Criterion which Governs | |
Equality and Inequality | |
The Pole Star | |
Notes | |
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Common terms and phrases
according alliance antithesis antithetical appeared argued argument assertion attitude authoritarian axiological become Carl Schmitt centre century Cofrancesco communism communist concept conflict connotation considered contrast Corriere della Sera criteria criterion critical debate defined democracy democratic Destra e sinistra dichotomy discrimination distinction between left distinguish divided doctrines and movements dyad egalitarian egalitarian ideal equality and inequality example existence expressed fact Fascism freedom fundamental groups historical human ideologies included middle individual interpretation Italian Italian communist Party Italy justice L’Unità La Repubblica La Stampa Laponce left and right left wing left-wing left/right distinction liberal libertarian liberty Massimo Cacciari meaning metaphor MicroMega nature negative Norberto Bobbio nouvelle droite one’s opinion opposing sides opposite parties political positive principle problem question radical reason recent refer regime rejection relation represent Repubblica Revelli revolution revolutionary right wing right-wing social society theory traditional translator’s note Turin unequal universe utopian Vittorio Foa words