Which Socialism?: Marxism, Socialism and Democracy - Hardcover

Bobbio, Norberto

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745601278 ISBN 13: 9780745601274

Publisher: Polity Press, 1987

Synopsis

Can democracy provide a path to socialism? Can civil rights and democratic institutions be protected and developed in a socialist society? Does our view of the nature and value of democracy affect our understanding of socialism itself? In a world with regimes which profess to be socialist, which socialism is worth defending today? This volume re-examines the uneasy relation between socialism and democracy. It argues that Marxist theory has failed to provide an adequate account of the nature and role of the state in socialist society, and defends the concept of representative democracy. Bobbio's arguments sparked off a lively debate in Italy; this volume includes a reply by Antonio Negri. The volume also includes an essay by Bobbio on Marxism and international relations, and his text on Gramsci's conception of civil society.

About this title

Review:

′...the excellent introduction sets the stage for readers unfamiliar with Italian politics... Bobbio′s intelligence and clarity hold their own and this publication can only enhance his growing reputation.′
New Statesman

From the Back Cover:

Can democracy provide a path to socialism? Can civil rights and democratic institutions be protected and developed in a socialist society? Does our view of the nature and value of democracy affect our understanding of socialism itself? In a world with regimes which profess to be socialist, which socialism is worth defending today?

In this powerful and provocative volume, Norberto Bobbio re–examines the uneasy relation between socialism and democracy. He argues that Marxist theory has failed to provide an adequate account of the nature and role of the state in socialist society and defends the concept of representative democracy. Bobbio′s arguments sparked off a lively debate in Italy; this volume includes a reply by Antonio Negri. The volume also includes an essay by Bobbio on Marxism and international relations, and his classic text on Gramsci′s conception of civil society.

About this edition

• Publisher: Polity Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0745601278
• ISBN 13: 9780745601274
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 248