Gramsci and the Anarchists

(Hardback)

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Description

This is the first work in English to deal comprehensively with Italian anarchism from the beginning of the century to the rise of fascism. It reconstructs the development of anarchist and syndicalist ideas and programmes and charts their relations with Gramsci and the Turin- based Ordine Nuovo group. The book places these developments within the general context of little known links connecting Italian anarchists and syndicalists to sympathizers in Britain, France, Germany and Russia. The analysis of 'libertarian' politics in Italy is accompanied by a detailed and fascinating reconstruction of the social base of Italian anarchism that challenges the assumptions of much of the political sociology of the European Left. Developing a hitherto unexplored but important aspect of Gramsci's political ideas and strategies, this book contributes to our understanding of one of the central Marxist thinkers and activists of the twentieth century and to one of the critical moments in the history of the European Left. In bringing new life and understanding to an important chapter in contemporary Italian history, this book is likely to become a standard text on this pivotal thinker. 'Levy has written a major and important study [...] likely to become a standard reference text.' John Davis, University of Connecticut

Reviews

'Carl Levy's book ... offers a new dimension.' Times Literary Supplement 'Levy has performed a significant service for Italian labour history.' English Heritage Review 'Levy offers a dense and important sociological analysis of the power relations of the anarchist movement on the Italian chessboard.' Social Anarchism

Author Bio

Carl Levy is Lecturer in European Politics,Department of Social Policy and Politics, Goldsmiths College, University of London