States of Emergency: Cultures of Revolt in Italy from 1968 to 1978

by Robert Lumley

The student protests of 1968, followed by the Hot Autumn factory strikes of 1969, shook the foundations of the Italian Republic. They also prepared the way for a whole decade of intense and widespread social conflict—a decade in which militant social movements arose with new aspirations, centered on protagonists such as women, young people and the unemployed. States of Emergency  provides a vivid reconstruction of the events and movements of that period—from the students of 1968 to the Autonomists of 1977.

The book’s title evokes both the emergence of new social subjects and the crises they provoked in the social order. But Lumley also looks at the paradoxes and contradictions of the movements, their creative potential and ultimate failure. The political debates which they initiated soon became part of the agenda of the Left internationally.

Drawing on the work of theorists such as Umberto Eco, Alberto Melucci, Norberto Bobbio and Antonio Negri, States of Emergency  is a vital contribution not only to Italy’s social history but to contemporary political discussion.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, Italy

396 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1989

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I disagree with some of Lumley’s political perspective and analysis, this book certainly engages with the period at hand with incredible detail and depth. Having 1968-1978 in the title is a bit of a stretch however, and it focuses on 1967-1972, only touching on later periods in the final couple of chapters.

[Jamie Bookboy Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well researched, great insight into the cultures of revolt in Italy during those important years

Covers just about everything you’d want it to

[Ella Pia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent history of the struggles in the late 60s in Italy and contextualising the movement, however the political lessons not useful