Reflections on an Italy that works and that doesn’t work

Recently I happened to think about some of the news stories that have affected our country in recent months. I refer for example to the Morandi bridge in Genoa or to the illegal villa in Casteldaccia (in the province of Palermo) that was inundated by the river Milicia. Reflections that led me to ask myself, once again, what works and what doesn’t work in Italy? Not only in general terms but also with regard to everything related to entrepreneurial mentality, to infrastructures, new generations of workers, state support, trust in new technologies and so on.

Here, reflecting on all these aspects, I found myself concluding that, ultimately, the problem of our country is essentially due to a large defect that unfortunately characterises us as a people.

But let's take a step back. I am aware of the fact that some time ago I criticized our historical and now physiological inclination to self-flagellation that drives us to continue to highlight and emphasise the problems that characterise our country, resulting in – among other aspects – damaging the image we have worldwide with everything that goes with it.

Very true and I take this opportunity to reiterate the concept:

no doubt we Italians should put more effort into emphasising our qualities – because of course we do have them – than in highlighting our flaws.

But then, when I see such disastrous news events happening in a short space of time, I can’t help but also think about the fact that we should strive equally – as a people, I mean – to change our basic mentality.

Let me clarify. In Italy it is normal, for example, for hauliers to travel with loads far greater than those permitted by law. In Italy it is a normal occurrence, to give another example, for there to be areas (often even quite extensive) that have been built entirely illegally. In Italy it is normal for a company to apply for a Hyper-amortisation concession when in reality it should only be entitled to Super amortisation.

In Italy, essentially, it is often the case that the rules are knowingly not followed because "no-one controls me" and therefore "why should I respect the rules" if it makes more sense to act differently.

 I know that I am not revealing some kind of mystery but I am convinced that these matters must be addressed from time to time. Perhaps in the vain hope of attracting the attention of a political class that should and could do much more.

The Italian Constitution is one of the richest in the world. The great problem of our country is that unfortunately most of the time the laws that compose it are not respected or enforced. 

 This inevitably leads the citizen (as an individual or otherwise) to feel legitimated in not respecting them regardless and the consequences are often disastrous (but ultimately if everyone else is acting illegally, why shouldn’t I also?).

In essence, in my opinion,

The main problem of our country is that we lack a little civic sense. 

This is true for the individual but inevitably ends up also impacting at entrepreneurial level, with often negative consequences for the entire system and country.