Modern Italy: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #494

by Anna Cento Bull

The history of modern Italy is characterized by recurrent cultural and political projects of modernity, rejuvenation, and regeneration; projects which often had their roots in a widespread dissatisfaction with social and political reality, and perceived moral corruption. The Risorgimento, the movement leading to Italian Unification in 1861, explicitly linked the quest for national unity to a process of moral regeneration and progress. Later forms of nationalism and the rise of fascism in the first two decades of the twentieth century advocated a spiritual revolution and the moulding of new Italians through war and violence. The tragic outcome of Italian fascism led to the emergence of new visions of progress during the post-war First Republic, in which European integration was embraced with conviction. In the last 25 years a project of of modernization epitomized by Silvio Berlusconi has characterized Italian politics, invoking a mixture of nationalist themes and an uncritical embracing of consumer and media culture.
In this Very Short Introduction Anna Cento Bull addresses the question of what modernity means to Italy, and asks what modern Italy stands for. She considers Italy's political system and style of government, and looks at its economic modernisation and issues with emigration, internal migration and immigration. Bull concludes by looking at the Italian culture and lifestyle, including modern art and architecture, cinema, literature, gastronomy, fashion and sport.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Genres: History, Italy, Nonfiction, 20th Century, Italian Literature, Social Science

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent summary of modern Italian issues

[Carlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by an academic rather than a journalist, and for me this reduced the accessibility of the book as it relies too heavily upon unsupported generalisations, rather than providing particular examples to illustrate the generalisation. However this does allow the book to be very short, and there is a further reading section.
I also found this book a little too brief in describing the unification of Italy in the nineteenth century, which needed more background about the Napoleonic invasion and subsequent partition between Austro-Hungarian empire in the north, Papal States in central Italy and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in the south. Again, for the rise of Mussolini and the fascist state in the 1922 to 1940 period is only lightly discussed, with insufficient detail provided for how Mussolini initially seized control.

After the first third of the book, an overview of the political position since 1945 is detailed, split into three main sections:
• Government by the Christian Democracy Party for over forty years, with enthusiasm towards the “European Project”, strong economic progress in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and growth of political rights away from the Catholic Church (especially divorce and abortion);
• Government by populist politicians, particularly media tycoon Berlusconi from 1994 to 2011, who promoted a”liberal revolution” with self interest as a justified and legitimate pursuit. But during this period there was the familiar (in the UK) alternation between centre-left and centre-right governments; and
• Bull identifies the subsequent (2011-16) growth of “Mediterranean Thought” promoting the value of “slowness”, criticism of the EU and a rejection of “modernity”.
Chapter 3 looks at the system of government in Italy in greater detail, which was particularly interesting for explaining how from 1945 to 1994 Italy was governed by the Christian Democracy Party, in varying coalitions with minority parties which did not wield significant political power. As the book was published in 2016, the period since 2011 appears rather vague, as it was too recent a period.
Chapter 4 looks at the economic history, dominated by industrialisation since 1945, the importance of small family firms (especially the “Made in Italyy” branding) and the negative impact of globalisation since the 1990’s. Interesting here are the comments about the development of hydroelectric power at the beginning of the twentieth century, the continued relative economic poverty of southern Italy compared to the north, despite repeated efforts to improve the South, and significant public enterprises.
It was also shocking to learn that an estimated 20% of GDP arises in the black economy and 10% in organised crime.
Chapter 5 looks at emigration and then immigration. Whilst emigration to the US well known, I had not realised that in Argentina people of Italian origin make up roughly 50% of the population.
Chapter 6 looks at the “soft power” that Italy has enjoyed since the 1960’s arising from the “Made in Italy” branding. Fashion and sport appear to be the most successful “exports”, although I was aware of those authors translated into English, such as Eco and Ferrante.

So, an adequate introduction, but I would have preferred something more in the style of Giles Tremlett’s Ghosts of Spain.

[Nary Kirit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book because I was writing an assignment on populism in Italy, but this book was so fascinating that I couldn't finish my assignment on time. Instead, I got lost in the trajectory of the making of the Italian Nation-State. Luckily my professor understood and gave me positive feedback to get back on track with my assignment and get a good grade for the course.
Some of the most interesting things that I discovered from this book were:
1. The fact that Italy, too, was not one nation.
2. The long history of nationalism, and populism in this country.
3. A very clear image of modern Italian society and its problems.
I believe this is a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand the Italian state in today's time from a historical approach.

[Sly Reference · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's fine, really, just not what I wanted. It's a little too much theory, and not really about the events of the era. It was trying to cover 150 years, so I shouldn't have been surprised, but still somewhat disappointing. YMMV

[Katarzyna Nowak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and well-written.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, logical, (mostly) unbiased intro to modern Italy.

[Mykyta Kuzmenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Прочитав за пару днів. Книжка з такою назвою швидко втрачає актуальність, втім мені сподобалось. Я дізнався багато цікавого.

[Zoe Hammond]

didn’t really take anything in