Left and Right: The Significance of a Political DistinctionFollowing 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
1 A Challenge to the Distinction | 1 |
2 Extremists and Moderates | 18 |
3 The LeftRight Distinction Survives | 29 |
4 In Search of the Criterion which Governs
the Distinction | 38 |
5 Other Criteria | 45 |
6 Equality and Inequality | 60 |
7 Freedom and Authoritarianism | 72 |
8 The Pole Star | 80 |
A Reply to the Critics 1995 | 87 |
Notes | 102 |
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Common terms and phrases
according alliance antithesis antithetical appeared argues argument attitude authoritarian axiological become believe Carl Schmitt centre century challenge Cofrancesco communism communist concept conflict connotation considered contrast Corriere della Sera criteria criterion critical debate defined democracy democratic Destra e sinistra dichotomy distinction between left distinguish divided dyad egalitarian egalitarian ideal equality and inequality example existence expressed extreme right fact Fascism freedom fundamental groups historical human idea 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 ment metaphor MicroMega nature negative Norberto Bobbio nouvelle droite one’s opinion opposite parties political positive principle problem question radical reason recent refer regime rejection relation represent Repubblica Revelli revolution revolutionary right wing right-wing society terms left theory tion traditional translator’s note Turin unequal universe utopian Vittorio Foa words