Northeasterners look at themselves in the mirror and the image they reflect has a non-univocal profile, with more shadows than lights. Let us be clear, we are talking about social representations, with a narrative that does not always correspond to reality. On the contrary. We know well, even from news episodes, how capable the population is of gestures of solidarity, of closeness to those who suffer, and of building networks of cohesion. From the so-called 'mud angels', to the civil protection; from the many expressions of voluntary work in many areas, to the fire brigade; from the simplest 'food collections', to social cooperation.
The list could go on and on, but these examples alone tell of how a social capital is alive in our territory that is not yet counted in the GDP, but generates (indirectly economic) wealth that is fundamental to the social fabric and growth. And in the North East of the country, it is even more present and widespread than elsewhere. Nevertheless, if northeasterners reflect themselves in front of a mirror, they do not seem to fully recognise such features. More easily, they bring out the less positive features. As if of a photo they see the shadows, the dark sides, and not the colours that define the figures.
Community Media Research clearly outlines this sort of cognitive dissonance: a polarisation between reality and the collective imagination. Thus, on the whole, there are two prevalent characteristics emphasised by North-easterners about themselves: being hard-working (21.1%) and a prevailing interest in money rather than culture (22.1%). Thus, the 'labour' dimension, in the sense of the value of work, remains a relevant identity factor. If we also add the entrepreneurial aspect (3.8%), it makes up a quarter of those interviewed (24.9%) and becomes the first character, especially among the Veneto (25.5%). But it is even more so if we consider that it is almost 5 points higher than the national average (19.9%). On the other hand, however, comes the instrumental propensity, an attention more to material dimensions than to immaterial ones, recognised above all by Friulians (23.2%) and Venetians (22.9%). As an old adage goes, practice is worth more than grammar.
The third aspect emphasised is never being satisfied (18.3%) almost as if to highlight an ill-tempered sentiment, a perennial 'mal-pancism' that runs through the souls of fellow countrymen, especially among Trentino and Alto Adige residents (23.3%). Lastly, there is a further characteristic that is particularly evident in the North East compared to the national average: the idea of autonomy (12.5%, in Italy 5.3%), which finds the most decisive standard bearers in the Trentino and Alto Adige people (27.4%). More residual are other characteristics marked by positive values. Altruism and solidarity are virtues identified by only 5.8%, on a par with religiosity (5.6%), an outcome that says a lot about the processes of secularisation that have also affected our communities. Therefore, we can safely say that the majority of Northeasterners see in their countrymen a set of composite and chiaroscuro traits.
The image of North-Eastern Europeans is not homogeneous, but has various nuances determined by the territorial social capital, cultural traditions, and the opportunities offered by society and the local economy. On the whole, however, there is a tendency to emphasise the negative and deteriorating aspects more than the positive ones. This is a typical quirk and has several reasons. Certainly there is a psychological background mechanism: projecting one's own vices onto others is a way of clearing one's conscience. Certainly, an economic and especially political transition (which seems interminable) does not allow one to cast a positive light on the world around us. Likewise, the lack of trust in institutions and disillusionment with our own politics does not help to see positive traits in others. Moreover, the prolonged deconstruction by private, collective and institutional actors (bribery, corruption,...), rather than by the media, does not help to build a positive social environment.
Last but not least, comes the absence of a project for the future of the area, of a symbolic and value framework capable of holding, of holding together, the different pieces of society and economy towards a shared direction. In the absence of a strong identification, we are more distrustful of others, we exalt their less positive characteristics. The result of all this is a disconnection and disassociation between reality and the collective imagination. We paint ourselves worse than we are. And because social representations affect reality more than the latter affects the imaginary, we risk imprisoning ourselves within a perverse circuit. If today we do not have a shared territorial development projectuality to appeal to, let us at least try to construct a narrative of being 'differently northeastern'.
- Finegil Newspapers, 6 August 2017
- Courier of the Alps, 6 August 2017
- The Little One, 6 August 2017
- Messaggero Veneto, 6 August 2017
- South Tyrol. 8 August 2017
- Trentino, 8 August 2017
Daniele Marini
Methodological note
Community Media Research, in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo - Cassa Risparmio Veneto, carried out the Survey, which took place nationwide from 6 to 12 April 2017 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 Questlab company. The total number of respondents was 1,655 (out of 14,103 contacts). The data analysis was reproportioned on the basis of gender, territory, age group, occupational status and educational qualification. The margin of error is +/-2.4%. 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
