Moderation and Revolution

Andrea Micocci's multidisciplinary analysis of conflicts reappraises conventional perspectives, re-considering the theory and practice of moderation and revolution. He applies a logical paradox between the intolerance of moderation (identified with capitalism's metaphysics, where violence and war might be hidden) and the tolerance of revolution (which through non-dialectical thoughts might lead to tolerance and non-violent outcomes). In this way, capitalism 'as we know it' is powerfully limited by a 'moderate' lack of novel ideas, and is similar to the nightmare of a routinized society that haunted the late Schumpeter. All readers, whatever their political perspective, are bound to be unsettled by his argument as well as by his scientific tour de force through economics, politics, philosophy, sociology and history. We had the pleasure of having been the first to publish this volume in our Faculty series, and we now offer it to the international reader. - Gian Maria Piccinelli, Second University of Naples

In the intellectuality of capitalism there are two alternative ways to conceive of reality: the moderate one, which mediates dialectically, and the revolutionary one, which also comprises ruptures with disappearance. The former conforms to, and helps shape, the metaphysics of capitalism itself. The second is akin to the mode of progressing of nature in general, and forms the basis for materialism. Moderate positions tend to be intolerant because they do not recognize the other, which is constantly compelled to mediate. Revolutionary positions instead, recognizing the other, are tolerant and intrinsically non-violent. In capitalism as we know it liberalism, Marxism and anarchism would potentially be revolutionary. But they have been transformed in moderate modes of thought, similar for instance to nationalism, communitarianism, Christian ideas, fascism, socialism. Thus capitalism has become an intolerant world that seems built to block, by means of mediations, its own historical evolution. The outcome is a fascistic economy and polity.