Bøker av Norberto (University of Turin) Bobbio

Norberto Bobbio is the foremost political theorist in Italy today. Written with verve and passion as well as erudition, this important work will make a major contribution to current debates in social and political theory. It will be of great interest to students of sociology, politics and philosophy, as well as to anyone concerned with the nature and future of democracy.

* A lively discussion of politics and political theory by one of the world's most distinguished political theorists and philosophers. * Provides an excellent introduction to the work of Bobbio for the newcomer. * Explains the idea of the Republic and some of the major political and ethical themes of the day.

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.

1. Discusses highly topical issues concerning the relations between socialism and democracy.2. Presents a forceful but sympathetic critique of Marxism, arguing that it lacks a theory of politics and of the socialist state.3. Bobbio is the leading political theorist in Italy today and the volume also includes a response to Bobbio by Toni Negri.

aeo The author is Italya s leading political theorist. aeo This book brings together his writings on human rights.