Norberto Bobbio: A Life for Democracy on the Battlefield of Ideologies

The book explores the writings of Norberto Bobbio, a prominent Italian political, legal, and democratic theorist, and historian of political and legal ideas. It provides a unique perspective on the evolution of twentieth-century ideologies in Italy and Europe, reflecting the country's political history from constitutional monarchy to Fascist dictatorship to democratic, parliamentary Republic. The chapters combine historical contextualization with historical analysis to examine Bobbio's study of rival ideologies, their relationship between past and present, and their potential to shape democracy in the future.

Format: Hardback
Length: 116 pages
Publication date: 19 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive exploration delves into the profound and multifaceted writings of Norberto Bobbio, a renowned Italian political, legal, and democratic theorist, historian of political and legal ideas, and one of the most insightful public intellectuals in Europe during the second half of the 20th century. Bobbio's work provides a unique lens through which to understand the evolution of twentieth-century ideologies, both in Italy and across Europe. His life, scholarship, and militant writings were deeply influenced by the tumultuous political history of his native country, which transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a Fascist dictatorship to a democratic, parliamentary Republic. These historical events, coupled with the global challenges posed by the Cold War, shaped his life and writings, making them an extraordinary reflection of the complexities of European history and politics.

In his native country, Italy, Bobbio used a magnifying glass to examine the principles and contradictions of rival ideological traditions on a national and transnational level. The chapters in this volume, written by scholars based in Europe and North America, combine historical contextualization with historical analysis to shed light on the intricate ways in which Bobbio studied rival ideologies, analyzed their historical connections, and assessed their potential to shape the future of democracy.

This book is a valuable resource for advanced students, researchers, and scholars in the fields of Politics, History, and Philosophy, as well as those with an interest in Italian and European Studies. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Political Ideologies, further testament to their scholarly significance and relevance.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032502052