The World in Disorder (Vol. 1)

The French Revolution had a tripartite message: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. This triple standard is at the root of the two great contemporary political "families." The "liberal party" seized the principle of liberty, translating it into individual rights. The "socialist party" seized the principle of equality, converting it into a platform of collective economic and social rights. Contemporary political history can be narrated as a competition between these "parties" to shape societies according to a preponderant principle. The entire first half of the 20th century can be interpreted as a "single catastrophe." In its midpoint, Stalinist and Nazi totalitarianisms emerged, devoted to the consecration of different versions of absolute equality: class equality and national equality. The "midnight" of totalitarianisms lasted almost until the date of their death, but the gleams provided by brilliant thinkers, dreamers, doctrinaires and ideologues never ceased to cast flashes of light amidst the darkness. In this volume:• The Great War and the Lost Illusions (1914-1928)• The Second Death of Adam Smith (1929-1932)• Depression (1933-1938)• Visions of the Future, Amidst Destruction (1939-1945)