Italian Critics of Capitalism

Capitalism as a globally dominant system is impacting on democracy, reshaping its nature and features. As many thinkers pointed out the power of transformation of capitalism is still very strong. Capitalism is a kind of “mentality”, a “social logic” that influences and determines political structures, organizations and culture. The aim of this paperbook is to compare different visions of democracy and capitalism in Italy. On the one hand are those thinkers who in general and in various ways consider capitalism and democracy sharply contrasting and incompatible. On the other, there are those who suggest that liberal capitalism and democracy are complementary systems, for material prosperity, cultural growth, and human development. Liberal capitalisms are characterized by multiple centres of power; and this pluralism of power captures an essential aspect of the conception of a democratic society.