Italians, a kaleidoscope of styles and ways of living. Difficult to understand. In the sense of 'holding together' as a homogeneous whole. But also to be interpreted through a single cultural thread. Italy is a long and diverse country, whose differences are precisely an element of richness. The mirror of this multiplicity materialises in various forms. In the dialects spoken, some thirty, more than one per region. Not to mention the food, our showcase in the world. There is no regional reality, valley or territory that does not have a characteristic dish. Variety is our hallmark that has few equals elsewhere. After all, our history is rooted in bell towers. There is no regional territory that, even today, does not see rivalry between its component provinces. There is no associative or political organisation that, when it comes to choosing a future leader, does not (also) have to reckon with the territorial origin of those who preceded it.
la Stampa p. 26, 19 September 2016
Thus the 'particular' is our 'universe' and we struggle to make the many 'parts-materials' fit together to build a more complex unitary jigsaw puzzle. The difficulties The history of Italy as a united country is little more than 150 years old, yet even today we struggle to affirm the idea of an identity in which we can recognise ourselves. There has been no lack of secessionist impulses in the past decades, which in more recent times have given way to autonomist instances, particularly of some northern regions. The crisis and economic difficulties that have not yet been absorbed; an unstable political and institutional system that has before it a delicate passage such as that of constitutional reform; the scandals and malpractice that continually signal the existence of a very weak civic conscience: these are all factors that do not help to build a national identity in which to be reflected. So much so that the Italians as their first defining character highlight being 'disunited', where 'everyone goes his own way' (23.7%). Could it be otherwise in a country where each professional category boasts – for itself, of course – rights and privileges derived from specific peculiarities without the maintenance of which the entire country would fall into irreversible decline? So taxi drivers, pharmacists, notaries, lawyers, accountants, journalists, doctors, truck drivers, pilots, as soon as there is even an attempt to lay down rules or open up their professional perimeter to the market, they jump to the defence of their category. Hence, the propensity to think only of 'special interests' (13.9%) and the tendency to 'try to circumvent laws' (13.6%). Individualism Ultimately, the self-righteousness is encapsulated in pointing out that we live inspired by "the art of making do" (18.1%). These four definitions encapsulate the dominant characteristics that Italians themselves attribute to themselves, with some small territorial variations. For example, those who reside in small business areas (North-East and Centre) more than others emphasise the trait of individuality and of thinking only of one's own interests. The art of getting by is, on the other hand, a more widespread aspect in the opinion of those living in the Centre-South. Of course, there is no lack of recognition of positive traits as well, but these are emphasised in second place. "Creativity and inventiveness" (10.3%), being able to develop "professional excellence" (9.7%) or performing "extraordinary deeds" (9.7%) are characteristic aspects of fellow citizens. But they are placed more in the background, on a later level: as a second choice. So much so that hardly any Italians feel proud of being Italians (1.8%): we look at each other with derision, we do not recognise ourselves. And, again, with some territorial nuances. Inventiveness is the prerogative of those who live in small business contexts (North-East and Centre); professional excellence is recognised mainly in the North; extraordinary actions are those who live in the South. Talents Summing up the answers offered by the respondents, two general profiles of the characters in which Italians are reflected emerge. By far the most prevalent is the one that defines fellow citizens moved by 'do-it-yourself' logic (69.3%), where the particularistic and individualistic dimension prevails over the others. It is the younger generations and those living in the Centre-Northeast that stand out. Note on method Community Media Research, in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo for La Stampa, carried out the LaST (Laboratory on Society and the Territory) survey, which was conducted nationwide from 22 March to 4 April 2016 on a representative sample of the population resident in Italy, aged over 18. The methodological aspects and the survey were taken care of by the company Quantitas The total number of respondents was 1,997 (out of 13,287 contacts). The analysis was reproportioned on the basis of gender, territory, age group, occupational status and educational qualification. The margin of error is /-2.2%. The survey was carried out by means of a visual survey via the main social networks and a random sample using the CAWI and CATI systems, which gave this opinion more weight. Conversely, one-third of the respondents (30.7%) put more emphasis on positive characteristics and see their fellow countrymen above all as 'talented', particularly among older people and those living in the North-West and the South. Italians have a multiplicity of characters, changing like the figures in a kaleidoscope. On the whole, darker colours prevail, but brighter hues are not lacking. Above all, there is a lack of an identity to refer to, capable of bringing out the specificities and diversities that make up Italy, but within a common project. That makes the 'particular' part of a 'universal' project: to finally be proud of being Italian.
Daniele Marini
Methodological note
Community Media Research, in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo for La Stampa, carried out the LaST (Laboratory on Society and Territory) survey, which was conducted nationwide from 22 March to 4 April 2016 on a representative sample of the population resident in Italy, aged over 18. The methodological aspects and the survey were taken care of by the company Quantitas. The total number of respondents was 1,997 (out of 13,287 contacts). The data analysis was reproportioned on the basis of gender, territory, age group, occupational status and educational qualification. The margin of error is +/-2.2%. The survey was carried out with a visual survey through the main social networks and with a random sample that could be reached with the CAWI and CATI systems. Full document on www.agcom.it e www.communitymediaresearch.it.
