Description
Book Synopsisaeo Bobbio is one of the foremost political thinkers in Europe. aeo This book was an astonishing bestseller in Italy. It sold 250,000 copies in Italy since 1994, and it has sold over 300,000 copies in Europe overall. It has been translated into 14 languages. aeo Ita s a timely defence of the distinction between a lefta and a righta in politics.
Trade Review'Are contemporary political issues best understood in left-right terms? With his customary lucidity and wisdom, Professor Bobbio, Italy's most distinguished political thinker explains the persistence and defends the relevance of the distinction in the face of "the great problem of inequality between people and between the peoples of this world" in a short work that is far-reaching, simple and deep.'
Steven Lukes, European University Institute
'Now, in Norberto Bobbio's newly translated book, we have the most ingenious and forceful defence of the traditional categories of left and right for many years, and one that will set the standard of argument on the subject for the foreseeable future ... The history of his book illustrates some of the paradoxes of recent political discourse ... simple, lucid ... scrupulous and rigorous analysis.' John Gray, The Times Higher Education Supplement
Table of ContentsTranslator's Introduction.
Preface to the First Italian Edition.
A Challenge to the Distinction.
Extremists and Moderates.
The Left/Right Distinction Survives.
In Search of the Criterion which Governs the Distinction.
Other Criteria.
Equality and Inequality.
Freedom and Authoritarianism.
The Polar Star.
A Reply to Critics (1995).
Notes.
