“Democracy is exercised not only at the time of elections, but also through continuous confrontation between the majority and the opposition.”
This is a book with a clear vision, written by one of the most well-known economists on the Italian landscape, and appreciated internationally. The text is divided into two parts, the first one in which Cottarelli describes his eight-month experience as senator of the republic, and the second one in which he tells the background that in 2018 led him to receive the task of forming the government, to break the political stalemate following the political elections of the same year.
We are certain that, like us, you will appreciate both parts of the text, because in different ways they will manage to rekindle interest in what is defined as “public affairs”, and in what we can do to improve it, and ensure that we do not fall under the yoke of resignation. That same resignation, if we are allowed to draw a parallel, so well described by Carlo Levi in ”Christ Stopped at Eboli”, which seems to be a characteristic trait of the character of Italians. What has changed since the events narrated by Levi and Cottarelli? We think that nowadays Christ stopped much further north than Eboli, perhaps in Emilia-Romagna, but perhaps we are pessimistic.
The book can be read quickly without excessive effort, but we recommend reading it slowly, in order to reflect carefully on the concepts expressed and the ideas shared. In fact, despite having been (albeit as an independent) the representative of a political party, one cannot fail to recognize a high degree of intellectual honesty in Cottarelli, both in describing the critical issues of our political-economic system and in expressing a commitment sincere in giving his contribution to the improvement of the country. It is no coincidence that our favorite chapter is the one in which some activities/actions are shared to bring citizens closer to the polls. These are common sense proposals, and even if you do not agree with all fourteen points listed, we are sure that, like us, you will agree with the majority of them. Our favorite? The one in which the importance of investing in education is underlined, because the future belongs to those who prepare themselves today, and the school education of the young generations is the best investment that the country can make for itself.
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Carlo Cottarelli, Dentro il palazzo, Mondadori, Milano, 2024