Facing insecurity
G.E. Rusconi’s latest book tells the story of the world today, and brings the focus back to the importance of rationality and reasonableness
Being rational and reasonable. Facing an unexpected global situation with careful attention and a sense of solidarity. This are the indications to be followed by all those who wish to respond appropriately to the emergency situation which has (for months now) had us all in its grip. Covid-19 represents a global challenge, to which businesses (and those who run them), along with institutions and individuals, are called upon to respond on a level that is simply unparalleled in recent history. Reading “Vivere nell’insicurezza” (Living in insecurity) by Gian Enrico Rusconi, which has just been published, is very useful, and provides us with an addition skill set that might just help us out as we traverse the gruelling path that we have no choice but to follow today – whether we like it or not.
Rusconi lines up a series of arguments – and provocations -, beginning with the dual concept of safety and insecurity. Indeed, with this twin notion in mind, the author immediately turns his gaze first to the consequences of Covid-19 for the State and for the welfare system, and then to geopolitics, before addressing the situation in Europe. The book then concludes with a series of indications that focus on the roles that science, politics and rationality have to play in the face of this pandemic, and with regard to the unprecedented situations to which society is called upon to respond.
The message of the book (which totals less than 150 pages, each worth reading with care), is simple: while the world was facing a range of well-documented problems before February 2020, since that fateful month, Covid-19 has created an almost new and global state of being, which has quickly extended beyond the world of health to become an economic, social and political emergency. By crossing every border, the crisis has served to change the perception of safety and security in the collective consciousness, and above all, has altered the relationships that have defined the fundamental conditions of national and international security to date.
In the face of all this, what are we to do? Rusconi then brings the sense rationality back into play, citing this as the only resource we have in the fight against the world of insecurities in which we must live. At the end of the book, the author says: “Rationality/reasonableness (…) is the only resource we have in order to react appropriately and adequately, and to counteract the world of insecurity in which we continue to live”. An indication that is good for everyone.
Vivere nell’insicurezza (Living in insecurity)
Gian Enrico Rusconi
Il Mulino, 2020
G.E. Rusconi’s latest book tells the story of the world today, and brings the focus back to the importance of rationality and reasonableness
Being rational and reasonable. Facing an unexpected global situation with careful attention and a sense of solidarity. This are the indications to be followed by all those who wish to respond appropriately to the emergency situation which has (for months now) had us all in its grip. Covid-19 represents a global challenge, to which businesses (and those who run them), along with institutions and individuals, are called upon to respond on a level that is simply unparalleled in recent history. Reading “Vivere nell’insicurezza” (Living in insecurity) by Gian Enrico Rusconi, which has just been published, is very useful, and provides us with an addition skill set that might just help us out as we traverse the gruelling path that we have no choice but to follow today – whether we like it or not.
Rusconi lines up a series of arguments – and provocations -, beginning with the dual concept of safety and insecurity. Indeed, with this twin notion in mind, the author immediately turns his gaze first to the consequences of Covid-19 for the State and for the welfare system, and then to geopolitics, before addressing the situation in Europe. The book then concludes with a series of indications that focus on the roles that science, politics and rationality have to play in the face of this pandemic, and with regard to the unprecedented situations to which society is called upon to respond.
The message of the book (which totals less than 150 pages, each worth reading with care), is simple: while the world was facing a range of well-documented problems before February 2020, since that fateful month, Covid-19 has created an almost new and global state of being, which has quickly extended beyond the world of health to become an economic, social and political emergency. By crossing every border, the crisis has served to change the perception of safety and security in the collective consciousness, and above all, has altered the relationships that have defined the fundamental conditions of national and international security to date.
In the face of all this, what are we to do? Rusconi then brings the sense rationality back into play, citing this as the only resource we have in the fight against the world of insecurities in which we must live. At the end of the book, the author says: “Rationality/reasonableness (…) is the only resource we have in order to react appropriately and adequately, and to counteract the world of insecurity in which we continue to live”. An indication that is good for everyone.
Vivere nell’insicurezza (Living in insecurity)
Gian Enrico Rusconi
Il Mulino, 2020