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.

Norberto Bobbio is Emeritus Professor of Legal and Political Philosophy at the University of Turin.

Roger Griffin is Professor of Modern History at Oxford Brookes University.