Liberalism: A Counter-History
Political theory | |
| Publisher | Editori Laterza |
|---|---|
Publication date | 2005 |
Published in English | 2011 |
Liberalism: A Counter-History (
.Losurdo argues that the liberal tradition has often excused and even celebrated
Summary
In the book, Losurdo characterises the dominant narrative regarding liberalism as
According to Losurdo, liberalism lent itself to the foundation of
According to Losurdo, the white supremacy that was typical of liberal thinkers of the time had a formative influence on fascism while also taking the dehumanization of those it considered inferior to extremes. For instance, Losurdo observes that the one-drop rule found in the American South was more stringent than the Nuremberg Laws (citizenship is not given if found 3⁄4 Jewish) implemented by Nazi Germany.[4]
Reception and influence
Liberalism: A Counter-History has received a number of positive reviews from critics. Peter Clarke wrote in the Financial Times that Liberalism: A Counter-History is "a brilliant exercise in unmasking liberal pretensions, surveying over three centuries with magisterial command of the sources."[5] Essayist Pankaj Mishra wrote in The Guardian that Liberalism: A Counter-History "stimulatingly uncovers the contradictions of an ideology that is much too self-righteously invoked."[6]
Liberalism: A Counter-History was also well-received by Stefano G. Azzarà in Historical Materialism,[7] Geoff Mann in Antipode[8] and Iain McKay in Capital & Class.[9]
Notes and references
- ^ Liberalism: A Counter-History. Introduction. p. viii.
- ^ Liberalism: A Counter-History. p. 150.
- ^ Liberalism: A Counter-History. p. 276.
- ^ Liberalism: A Counter-History. p. 338.
- ^ Clarke, Peter (13 May 2011). "Locke, Stock, and Barrel". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
- ^ Mishra, Pankaj (2 November 2011). "Books of the Year 2011". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 May 2017.
- ISSN 1465-4466.
- ISSN 1467-8330.
- S2CID 140786682.
External links
- ISBN 978-1781681664.