Carlo Galli’s latest book offers readers the tools they need to better understand the relationship between technology and humanity

Is it technophobia or technolatry (technology worship)?  Or is technology something separate from humans, or rather a tool that is entirely human and not artificial?  The path of technology is ambiguous and uncertain precisely because it is so inherently human. Critique of technology, both intellectual and political, contests its desire to dictate the entire future agenda. These are important issues, especially today, that affect not only those who care about where they are and where they are going, but also shrewd entrepreneurs, managers and cautious decision-makers. In this context, it is worth reading Carlo Galli’s ‘Tecnica’ (Technology), which attempts to answer a number of crucial questions.  Is technology in charge today, in the age of techno-capitalism?  And who needs it?  Is it for everyone, or just a select few?  Or are we serving technology? Is technology a challenge to human domination of the world, or an indispensable resource for achieving it?

Starting from the observation that technology has never been and is never neutral, but has always been intertwined with human history, Galli seeks and finds the answers (or at least provides the reader with the tools to arrive at the correct answers themselves). Technology is ambiguous by definition and has a dual nature: it is an instrument of freedom and domination, in its ability to relieve us from toil and need; and it simultaneously creates imbalance, conflict and division. It is never just the ‘pure production’ of something, but carries within it the element of decision and consequently of power.

Galli guides the reader through four stages:  the development of the concept; the history of technology, from flint to silicon; the relationship between technology and philosophy; and the status of new digital techniques, up to artificial intelligence.

Avoiding both mythical glorification and apocalyptic condemnation of technology, this book analyses its creation as an interweaving of knowledge and will, as the root of inequalities and transformations, and as a necessity that conceals choices and interests. It is precisely in this intersection of compulsion and freedom that the space for political action opens up, which must be characterised by balance and wisdom.

Tecnica

Carlo Galli

il Mulino, 2025

‘Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?’ The questions posed by Thomas Stearns Eliot in the verses of The Rock (a poetic work staged in London in 1934) are extremely relevant, particularly in a challenging period when we are once again confronted with the cultural and moral decline of a ‘wasteland’, a desolate place.

The loss of wisdom and the fear of the unknown are constant themes in Western thought. Throughout the twentieth century, we witnessed the questioning of ethical and scientific certainties that were once considered immovable. Theories such as the theory of relativity, quantum physics with its ‘uncertainty principle’, and psychoanalysis with its exploration of the unconscious have overturned traditional forms and harmonies, as have representations of reality through music, figurative art, literature, and theatre. A storm of innovations has shaken philosophy, history, the economy and civil society. We descended into the ‘heart of darkness’ that Joseph Conrad first glimpsed in 1899 (later be transformed into a cinematic masterpiece by Francis Ford Coppola in his 1979 film Apocalypse Now).

The twentieth century was an age of uncertainty.  Yet in its latter half, we caught a glimpse of the beauty of a long season of prosperity and progress, an illusion of the ‘best of all possible worlds’, with democracy, the free market, welfare, dynamic innovation and an ever-improving quality of life.

However, uncertainties and fears remain (it is worth revisiting Giacomo Leopardi‘s ironic reflections on ‘magnificent and progressive fortunes’). And today, at the dramatic beginning of the millennium, as the lights of the 20th century dim and give way to the darkness of armed conflicts and geopolitical and economic upheavals, we are here to critically consider the mistake of believing in the ‘end of history’, the limits of Western expansionism, and the need to address the new environmental, war and interest-related problems that plague our controversial humanity.

This is why we should heed Eliot’s words. Without succumbing to nostalgia for lost wisdom, we must try to understand how to restore knowledge to its rightful place and defend ourselves from the ongoing degradation of information, which is undermined by a ‘media jam’ of fake news, post-truth manipulations, and ‘factoids’ that are passed off on social media as facts. These ‘factoids’ are in a position to upset and overwhelm the well-informed public opinion that is indispensable to democracy.

Therefore, we need more knowledge:  an increasingly sophisticated, critical knowledge. We need an original relationship between humanistic and scientific knowledge in order to understand, guide and govern the processes set in motion by artificial intelligence, which is occupying an ever-increasing amount of space in the economy, in society and in our lives. This involves both positive innovations (in health, research and industry, for example) and the disturbing implications (the political, social and moral consequences of the domination of big tech, with its structures of concentrated power and lack of adequate democratic control).

But, what kind of knowledge? The very culture of the twentieth century, which we mentioned earlier, may prove useful. It is a culture based on a sense of limits and the need for critical thinking and methodological doubt, resulting in a sense of responsibility.  It is a culture that must be put to the test in the face of the new frontiers of thought and science.

We need to invest in education, training and depth of thought again.  And so, we need to pick up our books once again.

‘Not all our books will perish’, wistfully wished the emperor Hadrian in the brilliant pages of Marguerite Yourcenar‘s Memoirs of Hadrian. And he undertakes to read them, to have them written, to save them, aware that ‘Founding libraries is like building public barns, piling up stock to tackle a winter of the spirit that, as several clues reveal, I fear will soon be here.’ A winter of the spirit that defines our daily lives.

Books focus on stories of travel and critical thoughts, the knowledge of pain and the power of hope, the deepest doubts and the most intense illuminations. As Stéphane Mallarmé, a ‘man of books’, knew:  ‘Everything in the world exists in order to end up as a book.’

This means books and libraries (public and private, in homes, schools, businesses and places of social gathering, such as hospitals,  as we discussed in a blog post on 12 May), literary, scientific and philosophical festivals, reading groups and events such as Pordenonelegge (with 160,000 visitors, see the  blog post of 22 September) and ‘Ioleggoperché’ (organised by the Publishers’ Association and supported by Pirelli to donate books to schools), as well as Book City, both scheduled for November. Everything happens in the world of books . It is an essential world.

In a ‘provocative’ letter sent to Corriere della Sera, Marina Berlusconi, president of Italy’s largest publishing house, Mondadori, offers comforting words of wisdom.  ‘In this era of “Move fast and break things”, Zuckerberg’s motto, what if we were to rediscover the slow but constructive power of good old books? Books have always been effective antibodies against barbarism and totalitarianism, but today they also serve a new purpose as antibodies against the stifling of thought imposed by smartphones — true instruments of resistance against digital standardisation.’ To ‘continue listening to the voices of freedom and democracy’.

However, the problem is that much less is being read in Italy these days. Avid readers (those who read at least 12 books per year) account for just 6.4% of the population. The proportion of people who read a book in the last year has decreased (from 74% in 2023 to 73% in 2024). The time spent reading has also fallen, with people now reading for just 2 hours and 47 minutes a week compared to 3 hours and 22 minutes in 2022. This includes reading any kind of book, including cheap novelty books or cookery books.

It is therefore essential to start educating people again about the pleasure of reading and the value of reading good books, starting from the earliest years of compulsory education. And while a well-designed law to promote books and reading is necessary, much more is needed: a solid, far-sighted cultural and civil battle that transcends all of society and involves not only politics and culture, but also the economy, businesses, schools, the ‘third sector’ and social organisations. Because a book represents knowledge, beauty, fantasy, pleasure, freedom, quality of life and autonomy of thought. It fosters a sense of responsibility, the construction of an open and dialogue-driven identity, and acts as a catalyst for a better, more fulfilling human condition.

A return to books is also essential to recover and strengthen the intellectual and moral resources necessary to deal with another growing phenomenon in these restless and disheartening times:  the crisis of democracy and the crumbling of public opinion. The literature on the subject is limitless. In fact, faced with so much theoretical analysis, historical reconstruction and proposals for programmes, it is clear that something has gone wrong if we are still speaking of a ‘crisis’.  So, it would be worthwhile to revisit a key text:  It is by Hans Kelsen, one of the most important liberal jurists of the 20th century, and is taken from his essay General Theory of Law and the State (published in Italy in 1952):  ‘In a democracy, the will of the community is always formed through continuous discussion between the majority and the minority, and through the free examination of arguments for and against a given regulation of a subject. This discussion should take place not only in parliament, but also in political meetings, newspapers, books, and other means of disseminating public opinion. A democracy without public opinion is a contradiction in terms. Where freedom of thought, speech, the press and religion are guaranteed, public opinion can arise and democracy coincides with political liberalism, although not necessarily with economic liberalism.’

So, once again, we are faced with the need for knowledge and the centrality of public opinion.  The ‘discourse theory’, as Jürgen Habermas would argue, meaning capable of ‘public speech’, or critical discourse.

(Photo Getty Images)

The ability to embrace different cultures in the workplace as a business resource

Cultural intelligence (CQ) is a useful tool for growing a business in new and complex contexts, such as those we find ourselves in today. In such contexts, diversity is almost the norm and can truly make a difference. These ideas form the basis of Said Toumi’s recently defended doctoral thesis in administrative sciences at the University of Québec, titled ‘The impact of cultural intelligence on work performance: Evidence from the Arab world’, starts with the observation that literature on cultural intelligence (CQ) and its impact on intercultural management in international professional settings is gaining increasing interest in academic and professional circles. But what is cultural intelligence? CQ can be understood as an individual’s ability to work effectively in different cultural contexts. In other words, turning diversity into a strength for growth rather than an obstacle.

Said Toumi’s research aims to enrich our understanding of this concept by studying the impact of cultural intelligence (CQ) and informal networks within multinational organisations, with a particular focus on expats and inter-organisational relationships in the Arab world.

The work consists of three chapters, each of which addresses a different aspect of this complex topic. The first chapter provides an overview of studies on the impact of cultural intelligence on expats up to December 2024, while identifying the main directions for future research. The second chapter examines ‘Wasta’, an informal inter-organisational network prevalent in the Arab world, and its effect on satisfaction and performance in B2B relationships in the Maghreb region. Finally, the third chapter explores the impact of CQ on informal networks, with a particular focus on the supervisor-subordinate relationship in intercultural organisational contexts.

Toumi’s work is valuable because it provides insight into a topic that is not well understood or widely applied in most companies.

The impact of cultural intelligence on work performance: Evidence from the Arab world

Said Toumi

Thesis, Doctorat en sciences de l’administration, Université Lava, Quebec, 2025

A contemporary guide to better navigate the events that the country has experienced and is continuing to experience

The advice is familiar:  by understanding the past you can live better in the present and prepare more effectively for the future. This is also true in complex and volatile times such as these, for everyone, including businesses. This sage advice can be put into practice by reading Emanuele Felice’s latest literary offering. Felice, who teaches Economic History at IULM University in Milan, has updated his book ‘Ascesa e declino. Una storia dell’economia italiana’ (Rise and fall: A history of the Italian economy), first published ten years ago. This new edition is an opportunity to understand the fundamental milestones of the country’s recent and distant history. It is a story of alternating periods of prosperity and decline that few other countries have experienced. After its economic and social successes following World War II, Italy now seems to be trapped in decades of stagnation. Felice attempts to answer one question:  how could such a decline have occurred? The reasons are numerous and can be found in the political and institutional systems, the role of the elite, and the decisions — or lack of decisions — that have had a profound influence on development trajectories.

In this new, updated and expanded edition of his book, Felice provides a critical analysis of the dynamics that have shaped Italian history. He provides the necessary detail while placing the entire narrative in ‘a millenary perspective’, as the first chapter puts it, before outlining liberal Italy, the twenty-year period and the war. He then moves on to ‘the golden age’, as another chapter describes it, before ending with the era of globalisation and today’s decline.

Emanuele Felice’s book is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the roots of Italy’s successes and failures, and to reflect on its future prospects.

Ascesa e declino. Una storia dell’economia italiana

Emanuele Felice

il Mulino, 2025

‘If the photo didn’t turn out well, it means you weren’t close enough.’  said Robert Capa, one of the greatest photojournalists of the 20th century. He never shied away from risk in his work. During the Spanish Civil War, and on D-Day in Normandy in June 1944.  He was also on the ground in the Arab-Israeli War of 1948.  And in Indochina in 1954.  It was there, in the province of Thai Binh, that he got too close to a mine.  He was 41 years old. His colleague and partner, Gerda Taro, was 26.

She was run over by a tank on the outskirts of Madrid in July 1937.

They had lived their lives to tell the story.  To bear witness. To make people understand.  Through an image, a piece of writing or a TV shot.  Journalism is a job. But it is also a lifestyle choice.  One that sometimes comes at the terrible price of death.

As Capa said, it’s about being ‘close enough’. Close to the objective truth that reporting, analysis and investigation allow us to see and portray.

These words were echoed at the end of September during the opening ceremony for the winners of ‘Il Premiolino’, one of Italy’s oldest journalism awards. Founded in 1960 by Enzo Biagi, Indro Montanelli, Orio Vergani and other prominent figures in the daily newspaper industry, the ceremony took place at the Piccolo Teatro in Milan. Meanwhile, an actress’s voice, off-screen, recalled the names of Mauro De Mauro, Mario Francese, Mauro Rostagno, Pippo Fava and Giancarlo Siani — journalists who wrote about the mafia’s involvement in crime, business and power. Also mentioned were Carlo Casalegno and Walter Tobagi, who were committed to uncovering the horrors of terrorism in the 1970s, as well as Maria Grazia Cutuli in Afghanistan, Ilaria Alpi and Miran Hrovatin in Mogadishu, and Anna Politkovskaya in Russia.  And many others from Europe and around the world.

The evening was dedicated to them, and saw the honouring of ‘good journalism, a diligent and rigorous interpreter of truth, civilisation, humanity, and the sense of democracy’. Remembering, also, the reporters who died in Gaza, just a few days ago. And Victoria Roshchyna, another exemplary and courageous woman, in Ukraine.

All these names, ‘read aloud with solidarity and respect, dramatically express the meaning and value of the journalism profession.’ It is a profession with strong moral and civic connotations, ‘fitting for those women and men who love freedom and responsibility.  However, it is ill-suited to ‘cynics’, as that extraordinary master, Ryszard Kapuściński, taught us’.

This ceremony commemorates the dead in a way that goes beyond mere remembrance.  One that values the words spoken and written in newspapers, online, on the radio and on television year after year. It acknowledges the past, present and future, emphasising that good information is fundamental to our civil and democratic coexistence and our commitment to future generations.

The Premiolino jury (chaired by Chiara Beria di Argentine and supported by Pirelli), this year recognised Paolo Giordano (Corriere della Sera), Anna Zafesova (La Stampa), Luigi Manconi (la Repubblica), Siegmund Ginzberg (Il Foglio), Thomas Mackinson (Il Fatto Quotidiano), Sabrina Giannini (Rai3). The Pirelli Prize for Schools went to Gianna Fregonara and Orsola Riva (Corriere della Sera).  The awards recognised the wide range of issues covered and the constant provision of evidence of cultural and social value during such a difficult and controversial period.

The fact is that these are not easy times for journalists. They are undermined by the general loss of credibility that has affected the elite, intellectuals, scientists and competent individuals for far too long (the overwhelming expansion of social media on the internet has helped to spread the misconception that ‘my ignorance is worth as much as your knowledge’). The media system is being affected by radical technological and cultural transformations, for which there are no editorial or political responses capable of meeting the challenge yet. Maligned by political and economic powers that detest criticism and prefer to cultivate fake news and post-truths. They are considered marginal by a widespread public opinion that does not view information as a fundamental community asset and relies on factoids instead of engaging with facts, data and truth, including when they are uncomfortable or inconvenient for a social group, interest group or corporation.

As with all crises, those in the worlds of culture, science and information must also take responsibility. One thing is clear, however:  without quality information, the world would be an even worse, more unjust and unbalanced place,  and democracy, the market economy, welfare and social solidarity systems, and all the knowledge mechanisms that affect quality of life, work and relationships would suffer.

In recent days, during a speech in Tallinn, Estonia, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, who has always been keenly aware of the issues relating to democracy, as well as the relationships between powers and cultures that form the basis of participation and citizenship, recalled that ‘the challenges posed by artificial intelligence are complex, but democracies cannot afford to be left behind… It is up to us to create an AI that protects our citizens and our values without undermining them’.

This is a key point: ‘Technology and security are closely interconnected issues that are increasingly central to our democratic communities’ insists Mattarella. ‘We are witnessing an increasing use of AI for disinformation purposes, as well as to influence public opinion, through the unscrupulous use of user profiling on social media and the equally unscrupulous dissemination of fake news.’

Therefore, ‘binding global standards’ are needed to govern the processes set in motion by AI, and there must be widespread awareness of both the opportunities and risks related to new technologies.

The antidote? Invest in knowledge, the humanities and the sciences, and foster a deeper sense of responsibility within public opinion. This may be difficult to achieve, but it is essential to try with conviction.

These are issues that were also central to Pope Leo’s reflections. ‘Free information is a pillar that supports the construction of our societies and, for this reason, we are called upon to defend and guarantee it,’ he said in recent days in a message to Minds, the association of leading press agencies. To combat ‘junk information’, we need ‘competence, courage and a sense of ethics’:  journalists can ‘act as a bulwark against those who, through the ancient art of lying, seek to create divisions in order to rule by dividing;  a bastion of civilisation against the quicksand of approximation and post-truth’.

Journalism, Pope Leo insists, ‘is not a crime’.  And we must thank ‘the reporters who put themselves at risk so that people can understand how things really are’.

The Pope asked journalists to ‘free communication from the cognitive pollution that corrupts it; from unfair competition; and from the degradation of clickbait.’  In short, ‘we are not destined to live in a world where truth is indistinguishable from fiction.’  In his view, ‘algorithms generate content and data at a speed and in a dimension that has never been seen before, but who governs them? Artificial intelligence is changing the way we inform ourselves and communicate, but who is driving it and for what purposes?’ W must ensure that technology does not replace man, and that the information and algorithms that govern it today are not in the hands of a few.’

Fortunately, these issues are receiving increasing attention from journalists and publishers, as was evident from the recent debate on the evolution of the media at the Il Sole 24 Ore conference. Two of the keynote speeches illustrate this well.  The first was delivered by Agnese Pini, editor-in-chief of QN/La Nazione, Il Resto del Carlino and Il Giorno, who said: ‘Information is the third channel between power and citizens. If this filter is removed, power speaks directly to citizens in a vertical manner, and a fundamental guarantee for democracy is lost.’ There is, in fact, a perverse relationship between the spread of social media and the collapse in reading rates from 2011-2012 to the present day.  And we must face the challenge of improving knowledge processes and good information.

Giuseppe De Bellis, the editorial director of SkyTG24, adds,  ‘In the vast landscape of information, which is often inaccurate, overly sensationalised, and verging on misinformation, all publications with a historical legacy that operate in the digital ecosystem through websites and social media must encourage consumers and readers to visit their platforms by focusing on authority and credibility.’

In short, the challenge of acquiring knowledge and good information is difficult, but not insurmountable.

There is an interesting opportunity for reflection in the coming year, a year of symbolic anniversaries for the world of newspapers:  the 159^th anniversary of the founding of the Corriere della Sera, the 70^th anniversary of Il Giorno, and the 50^th anniversary of la Repubblica. Another notable and unfortunate anniversary is the closure of Il Mondo, the weekly magazine edited by Mario Pannunzio, on 8 March 1966. It was a training ground for solid, high-quality journalism, but above all it fostered an intense civic, secular, liberal and socially sensitive outlook.

Occasions such as this are sometimes at risk of celebratory rhetoric and nostalgic reminiscence. This time, it would be worthwhile for the worlds of information, politics, economics and culture to take advantage of the opportunity to think seriously, deeply and impartially about the essential relationship between journalism and democracy; the need to improve levels of information and knowledge; and the shift in publishing from an economic enterprise to a strong, deep-rooted civic endeavour.

As Carlo Levi taught us, words are like stones:  indispensable for strengthening the buildings of our freedoms.

(photo Ippi Studio)

International mobility of human resources as a tool to help companies grow

International business culture moves with the mobility of people.  In an increasingly interconnected world of work, companies often need to send or attract managers and technicians from abroad, often at short notice. This can turn work into an opportunity for collaboration and vice versa. This is the theme of ‘Talenti internazionali. Strategie e strumenti di global mobility’ (International talent. Global mobility strategies and tools), written by Andrea Benigni and intended for companies grappling with the international mobility of personnel for various reasons. However, a closer look reveals that this can actually be a strategic lever for the competitiveness of production organisations.

How? Benigni attempts to answer the question by looking at how production culture and business organisation interact.  Alongside traditional engagement formulas, new solutions have been introduced, such as international smart working, now making global mobility accessible even to smaller companies. However, not everything is as simple as it seems,  because, as the book explains, the management of expats, particularly managers and technical staff, is still an area that is often overlooked or approached in a fragmented way, despite having significant economic, organisational and management impacts.
The book was therefore written to raise awareness and provide those involved in human resources and business internationalisation with a clear, practical and accessible guide on how to link the choice of organisational structure to the company’s objectives. Readers are guided along a structured path that covers all the key aspects of employee mobility: from organisational models and remuneration policies for foreign countries to fiscal neutrality, social security, legal planning and the evaluation of expat performance. The text uses direct language and a series of examples to explain everything.

Andrea Benigni’s book is not a universal guide to business organisation, but it effectively addresses a point that could become crucial for many businesses.

Talenti internazionali. Strategie e strumenti di global mobility

Andrea Benigni

Franco Angeli, 2025

Examining business management and ethics as tools for navigating the complexities of the present day 

The combination of ethics and business management is a time-honoured topic of interest that needs to be studied and put into practice.  It is important to remember that ethics should not be confused with corporate do-gooding, which is harmful to everyone.  Instead, it is the people who embody ethics and are the real driving force behind the company. With this in mind, you may be interested in reading Ethical Leadership and Spiritual Intelligence in Corporate Communication:  A Strategic Imperative for Sustainable Business Culture by Odunayo Kolawole Kayode, which has just been published by the Department of Information Technology Services at Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Nigeria.

The research is based on the observation that the business environment is now complex, characterised as it is by rapid technological advances, globalisation, socio-political instability, and a renewed emphasis on ethics and human values. And volatility certainly seems to be the watchword of this era. This is a context in which corporate communications can play a crucial role in shaping and communicating organisational identity, stakeholder trust and sustainable business practices. However, as noted, this ultimately comes down to the people in charge.

The research aims to explore how ethical leadership and spiritual intelligence can be used as fundamental tools to improve corporate communication and address contemporary challenges. But what is ethical leadership?  For Odunayo Kolawole Kayode, it is a business management approach based on integrity, fairness and responsibility. It is capable of promoting a transparent organisational culture that prioritises ethical behaviour and engagement. Rather than having anything to do with the transcendental, the research outlines a kind of ‘spiritual intelligence’ consisting of the ability to navigate complex moral scenarios, demonstrate empathy, and align corporate practices with deeper human values. In addition to the theory, three company case studies are highlighted: Microsoft, The Body Shop, and Unilever. These are analysed in depth to examine the behaviour of three managers.

The findings explain how leaders who embody both ethical and spiritual qualities are better equipped to foster open communication, resolve conflict, manage diversity, and drive ethical decision-making. The close relationship between ethical leadership and ‘spiritual intelligence’ helps create a virtuous system involving corporate organisation, communication, and business results in the marketplace.

Ethical Leadership and Spiritual Intelligence in Corporate Communication: A Strategic Imperative for Sustainable Business Culture

Odunayo Kolawole Kayode

Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 2025, Vol. 03, Issue 03, 145-149

Let us take a closer look at Italian society during this controversial period of uncertainty and widespread lack of confidence, amid growing fears of crisis, war, and severe economic and social unrest. We can do this by looking at some illustrative data: the number of voters versus non-voters; taxpayers versus tax evaders (often guilty and irresponsible); those with secure job prospects versus those who leave, ‘vote with their feet’ and seek better living conditions and professions elsewhere (almost 200,000 Italians emigrated in 2024, 20% more than the previous year, and many of them had a degree).

‘Il Foglio’ (3 October) runs the headline ‘Disaffection for politics’ alongside a full-page article by Sabino Cassese, one of our foremost scholars of political institutions and movements, who reasons that the behaviour of the electoral body manifests ‘distrust and disinterest’. According to Cassese, ‘in Italy, it is not only voter turnout that is declining, but also “invisible participation”, which means information and discussion’. This refers to the participation of a public opinion capable of critical discourse and thus of well-informed judgement in political and social processes, as set out by Jürgen Habermas in his theory of consensus building in liberal democracy.

Recent data on voter turnout for the regional elections in Marche (50.01%) last week and in Calabria yesterday (43%) confirm the long-standing trend of an average voter turnout of just over 50%.  This percentage has been commonplace in other Western democracies for some time, but it nevertheless indicates a significant weakness in the relationship between politics and the public, who increasingly feel like mere ‘residents’, rather than ‘citizens’ — responsible participants in a cohesive and aware community.

Where does the mistrust of politics and disenchantment with the idea that political forces, whether in government or opposition, can improve quality of life and address major issues such as employment, income, security, health and education — in short, the prospect of a better future — come from?

What would be very useful is a ‘forum’ of critical and self-critical reflection, able to suggest measures to encourage abstainers to vote. The hope is that someone will begin a serious and sincere debate, and, above all, be willing to listen to citizens.

There is a second set of data to be considered, concerning taxation. 43% of Italians do not pay IRPEF (personal income tax) because they have no income or do not declare it, and 12% pay just €26 per year.  The result is that the tax burden falls on 45% of Italians. A closer look at the numbers reveals further imbalance:  76.8% of the entire IRPEF is paid by around 11.6 million taxpayers (out of the 42 million who file tax returns and the 33.5 million actual taxpayers, i.e. who pay at least €1).

The data (relating to the 2024 tax return and so to 2023) is provided by Itinerari Previdenziali, with the support of Cida (the association of company directors). These figures confirm a situation that has clear for years and has become increasingly intolerable over time:  the entire burden of income taxes, with which the schooling, security, health and public services of all citizens are funded, falls on the middle and upper-middle classes, employees and that minority of productive and professional self-employed individuals who comply with tax laws. ‘Pensioners, employees and large companies — those are the people who pay the taxes,’ summarises La Stampa on 6 October.

In its complexity of income and expenditure (taxes and public spending), taxation is a fundamental part of the citizenship pact and the link between people and the state. The persistence, and indeed worsening, of imbalances between taxpayers and non-taxpayers, and between law-abiding citizens and tax evaders, undermines that pact. It erodes trust and undermines the foundations of civil coexistence and democracy. This is another essential topic for reflection, especially in a season of ‘democracy’s discontent’ (the title of Michael J. Sandel‘s excellent book, a professor at Harvard, which we discussed in last week’s blog), and in light of the need to reinvigorate democratic politics, which is under attack from authoritarian and populist tendencies.

And so the third set of data concerns cultural depth.  One in three Italians is a ‘functional illiterate’, unable to understand a written text of even minimal complexity or cope with simple mathematical operations.  We have been at the bottom of the rankings of the most industrialised countries for a decade. We also perform poorly in other rankings related to investment in education and scientific research, the number of university graduates, and reading habits.

Ignorance, a lack of understanding of general and professional issues, and a distance from cultural factors are causes of other divisions in community spirit and self-perception as citizens.

In short, there is a link between the collapse of political participation, unease over tax inequities, functional illiteracy, and low cultural quality.  Everything contributes to the decline of civilisation. And thus, to the crisis in our ability to address the major issues of public life consciously, starting with the creation of opportunities for more balanced economic and social development, and real improvements in working and living conditions.

A possible solution? Invest massively in knowledge, using public and private resources. Focus on schools. On disseminating and reading books, and on active and critical participation in cultural activities. Focus on the powerful concept of the connection between responsible freedom and our understanding of the phenomena that influence our daily lives and the shaping of our future.

‘Più libri più liberi’ (‘More books, more freedom’) was the slogan of a successful reading initiative and book fair for small and medium-sized publishers a few years ago. Books are, of course, a metaphor for knowledge — critical knowledge that can lead to an improved human condition and a better way of thinking about the future.

Photo Getty Images

Pirelli and Milan share a deep-rooted, lasting bond. One that has shaped everything from street names to architecture and sporting venues. A new chapter in “Pirelli, a City and a Vision” opens the doors to our Historical Archive, which is home to more than four kilometres of records

Some companies imprint themselves not only on the physical landscape but also on that of the imagination. Pirelli is one of them. Founded in Milan in 1872, with its first factory in Via Ponte Seveso (now Via Fabio Filzi), the company rapidly expanded abroad, all while maintaining its deep-rooted connection with the city where it was born. This bond has led to a history unlike any other, as we see even in the names it has adopted.

In the first article of this series, “Pirelli, a City and a Vision”, we saw how the company’s connection with Milan quickly became a defining feature. From the inclusion of “Milano” in the firm’s name to its early products—the first registered trademark in 1888, the first Italian cable-laying vessel Città di Milano, and the Tipo Milano bicycle tyres launched in 1894—the name echoed across Pirelli’s identity. “Milano” appeared consistently in the company’s catalogues, price lists and marketing materials, reinforcing this intimate connection.

As the company grew, its factories, product lines, workforce and community relationships multiplied. “Pirelli” became a well-known and prestigious name. It acquired iconic status, to the point that, in Milan, it became synonymous with the city itself.

Let us start with a railway station, a place of fundamental importance to Milan and its twentieth-century industrial growth. Inaugurated in 1914, Greco station stood between the municipalities of Greco Milanese and Gorla Primo (later Gorlaprecotto), which were incorporated into the municipality of Milan in 1923. It served the surrounding industrial complexes in that part of the city—Breda (later Ansaldo), Manifattura Tabacchi, CIWL and Pirelli—connecting them to the wider world. “An event breaks Bicocca out of its doldrums. A train loaded to the brim chugs into Greco. Raw rubber from Genoa! And possibly coal and other raw materials. Finally!” — so reads scene 21 of Questa è la nostra città (This is Our City), a screenplay written by Alberto Moravia in 1947 at Pirelli’s request, to celebrate the company’s 75th anniversary. It has been published for the first time this year by Bompiani. In 1957, the Milano Greco station was renamed Milano Greco Pirelli in tribute to the company’s nearby factories, which by then had occupied a significant part of the Bicocca district.

Next we come to a skyscraper—not the first in Milan, as the city had already begun to climb skyward in the 1920s with the first buildings to be known as “skyscrapers”. On 12 July 1956, however, the cornerstone was officially laid for the Pirelli Tower, the Group’s new headquarters, built on the site of the historic Brusada buildings, remnants of the original plant that had survived the 1943 bombings. Designed by Gio Ponti and Giuseppe Valtolina, with input from Pierluigi Nervi and Arturo Danusso, the tower was completed in 1960 and was acclaimed in the international press as an exceptional work both for its engineering and for its aesthetic innovation. The 127-metre, 31-storey Pirelli Tower is a soaring, elegant structure of reinforced concrete. It features a broad central body that narrows to delicate edges that almost close. It was the tallest reinforced concrete building in Europe and the third tallest in the world and displays an extraordinary and elegant rationality. Its facade is a continuous glass window in aluminium and glass covering 9,500 square metres, which during the day reflects “the movements of the sky”, making the Pirellone stand out against the Milan skyline. The Tower remained the property of Pirelli until 1978, when it was sold to the Lombardy Region, but its name remained among the symbols and icons of “The City that Rises”, retaining the record for height in the Milanese capital until 2010.

Pirelli’s name is also etched into two of Milan’s most iconic sporting venues, both of which have made international history: one in the world of football, the other in cycling. A sports enthusiast and the eldest son of the company’s founder, Piero Pirelli helped to establish the Milan Football Club in 1899, later serving as its president from 1909 to 1929. In 1926, he also contributed to the construction of the San Siro stadium. His life was one of business and social activities but also of a great passion for sport.

In 1935, the semi-covered Vigorelli Velodrome was inaugurated, taking the place of the then outdated Corso Sempione track, which had been demolished in 1928. Championed by Pirelli and Giuseppe Vigorelli—a former track cyclist, industrialist and member of the Pirelli sales team—the new velodrome quickly earned a reputation as a veritable temple of Italian and international cycling. It was here, on 7 November 1942, that Fausto Coppi set his legendary world hour record: 45,798 km. During its golden era, from 1949 to 1957, under the guidance of the cycling great Alfredo Binda, the Vigorelli also hosted the Gran Premio Pirelli. This competition brought together young cycling enthusiasts from across the country, who competed in regional heats culminating in the grand finale on the revered Milan track—the “temple” of cycling.

Pirelli and Milan: a name etched into the very fabric of the city.

Tazio Nuvolari el conductor de la emoción – ”Tazio Nuvolari: Driver of Emotion” – is the title of the exhibition opening today and running until 18 October at the Casa degli Italiani in Barcelona, in collaboration with Scuderia Nuvolari Italia. A true campionissimo on both two and four wheels, Nuvolari conquered the roads and circuits of three continents during a career spanning three decades – from the 1920s to the 1940s – securing his place in motor-racing history and in the popular imagination. The Barcelona exhibition shines a light on a lesser-known side of Nuvolari: his passion for photography. On view is a selection of 300 images from an archive of over 2,500 photographs taken by Nuvolari himself, catalogued, digitised, and first exhibited in Mantua in 2009. Shot mainly between 1936 and the early years of the Second World War with a Zeiss Contax II 24×36 mm camera, these photographs reveal the Mantuan driver’s remarkable technical skill and keen curiosity. They take us on a journey through his public and private life: his family, friends, travels, and of course the racing world – seen not through the eyes of a star, but through the lens of a reporter.

The Barcelona exhibition pays tribute not only to Nuvolari the photographer, but also to Nuvolari the driver, with photographs recording his triumphs on both car and motorcycle circuits, with a special emphasis on his ties to Barcelona and Catalonia. The Grand Prix organised by Penya Rhin in Vilafranca in 1923 marked Nuvolari’s international debut at the wheel of a Chiribiri. Unknown at the time and with no results of note, he nonetheless left a strong impression on the Barcelona public. A decade later Nuvolari returned as a champion to the Penya Rhin Grands Prix at Montjuïc from 1933 to 1936, the year he achieved one of his finest victories at the wheel of an Alfa Romeo Scuderia Ferrari, fitted with Pirelli Stella Bianca tyres.

At the heart of this section of the exhibition is an original Stella Bianca tyre from the 1930s, which – together with materials from the Pirelli Historical Archive – bears witness to the close bond between Nuvolari and Pirelli. Captured by Federico Patellani, the Mantua-born champion was chosen for the cover of the very first issue of Pirelli magazine, which also carried an article about him by Orio Vergani. In 1954, a year after Nuvolari’s death, Vergani wrote a moving tribute in the magazine.

A striking photograph from Documents on the History of Pirelli industries shows the Ferrari team at the European Hill Climb Championships on 29 June 1930: in the foreground we see Luigi Arcangeli, Tazio Nuvolari and Enzo Ferrari sitting on an Alfa Romeo P2, also fitted with Stella Bianca tyres. The Alfa Romeo–Pirelli partnership, which came about as soon as the “Quadrifoglio” was born, reached its height in the 1930s thanks in part to the creation of Scuderia Ferrari. This ushered in an era of great victories – led above all by Nuvolari, from the Mille Miglia (1930) to the Targa Florio (1930 and 1932), and the Grands Prix of Monaco, France, Italy (1932) and Germany (1935). This bond with Ferrari can also be seen in other photographs from our Archive: the Scuderia Ferrari luncheon in 1930, the group portrait with the cyclist Costante Girardengo, and the image of Nuvolari, Ferrari and Mario Umberto Borzacchini holding out their hands in a pledge of loyalty to Scuderia Ferrari on 22 January 1933. This authentic album of memories retraces the extraordinary personal and sporting life of one of the greatest champions of all time.