The Italians
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political, 82, 219, 220–21, 238–39, 241–48
tolerance for, 241–44, 247–48, 256–57
see also scandals
Cortegiano, Il (The Book of the Courtier; Castiglione), 188, 249
Cosa Nostra, 5, 54, 68–69, 225–26, 229–36, 272, 273
hierarchy of, 229–30
Così è (se vi pare) (It IS So [If You Think So]; Pirandello), 54–55
Costa Concordia disaster, 291, 293
Counter-Reformation, 1, 3, 122
Court of Cassation (Italian supreme court), 50n, 54n, 244, 254, 259–60, 268, 285
Craxi, Bettino, 78, 129, 220–21, 263
creativity (fantasia), 56–71
crib sheets (bigliettini), 61, 63
crime rate, 178, 227, 234, 285–86
crucifixes, public display of, 121
cuisine, 8–9, 10, 11, 93–103, 197, 275
ethnic, 101–3
historical evolution of, 98–100
custody, pretrial, 265–66
D’Antona, Massimo, assassination of, 104–5
David (Michelangelo), 8, 65
death masks, 64–65
death penalty, 91–92
Decameron, The (Boccaccio), 99, 159
de Chirico, Giorgio, 151–52
De Curtis, Antonio, see Totò
Dell’Utri, Marcello, 54, 79
Del Vecchio, Leonardo, 177, 187
democracy, Italian, 36, 57–59
Democratic Republic of Congo, 281
Democrazia Cristiana (DC), see Christian Democrats
Depretis, Agostino, 36–37
dialects, Italian, 27–28, 274–75, 277
dietrologia (“behind-ism”), 69–70
dimissioni in bianco, 152–53
disabilities, disabled, 88–89
divorce, 129, 142, 173–74
dolce vita, La, 86n, 213, 292
Donation of Constantine, 16
Donna e i suoi rapporti sociali, La (“Woman and Her Social Relationships”; Mozzoni), 142
Donne e Qualità della Vita (“Women and Quality of Life”), 148
dottore, 192–93
Douglas, Norman, 141, 142
dreams, superstitions and, 136–37
drug trafficking, 232, 233–34
drug use, 198
drunkenness, 197–98
Durex company, 157, 158
earthquakes, 7, 107
in Haiti, 288
in Japan, 201
Ease of Doing Business Index, 222
“economic miracle” (1950s–1960s), 9–10, 112, 128, 184, 274, 290, 291
economy, Italian:
adherence to tradition in, 103
average income in, 110
downturns in, 80–81, 114–15, 118, 218, 221, 269, 288–89, 291–92
effect of corruption on, 237, 240, 246
family businesses in, 176–77, 182
GDP, 49, 80, 111, 182, 231, 286, 288, 290
in global financial crisis, 80–81
growth, 238
historical roots of decline of, 21
lack of innovation and competitiveness in, 181–82, 221–24, 246
myths propagated about, 49
north-south disparity of wealth in, 275–77
participation of women in, 147
perceptions of, 84
protectionism in, 221–23, 275–76
restrictive practices in, 216–26
welfare in, 48
education system:
cheating in, 60–63
Church in, 127, 132–35
elderly in, 112–13, 147
forms of address in, 193
girls in, 144
as point of commonality, 273–74
in promotion of sex education, 162n
public shools in, 179, 273
restrictive practices in, 224–25
women in, 147–48, 275n
81⁄2, 213
Einhard, 12–13
elderly, 110, 254
care for, 177–78, 180
influence of, 112–14, 147, 181
elections, 70, 79, 83, 112, 272
of 2013, 116, 150, 168
El Mahroug, Karima (Ruby Rubacuorei), 79–80
emigration, 9, 155, 276, 289
see also Mezzogiorno
Emilia-Romagna region, 8–9, 10, 25, 184, 253n
employment legislation reform, 103–4
Eni oil and gas company, 53–54
Esposizione Universale di Roma (EUR), 199–201
Espresso, L’, 40, 124, 130, 137, 246
Etna, Mount, 5, 68, 107, 146
euro, 118, 224
adoption of, 31, 114, 289
European Commission, 31, 225, 227
European Economic Community (EEC), 290
Europeanism, 290–91
European Union (EU), 42, 48, 81, 102, 112, 147, 198, 222, 290–91
Italy’s place in, 49, 111, 266
eurozone, crises in, 49, 80, 241, 269, 289, 291
euthanasia, 90, 137
evil eye, 136
Falcone, Giovanni, 216, 230, 235
Famiglia Cristiana, 130–31, 135
families:
child care and, 153
contributions of, 176–78
and corruption, 240
cuisine and, 96
decline of traditional, 173–75, 177, 185
extended, 165–66
loyalty to, 182–84, 202, 240
as obstacle to prosperity, 181–84
as point of commonality, 273
as providers of welfare, 177
reverence for, 169, 170–85, 202
society vs., 182–85
young adults living with, 163, 178–82
family businesses, 176–77, 182
famine, 100–101
fan clubs, power of, 211–12
fantasia (illusion), 56–71
Fascism, 35–36, 50–51, 123, 140
conflict over, 203–4
fall of, 127–28
Italy under, 56, 121, 127, 165, 219, 276
soccer used for propaganda by, 205–6, 207n, 211n
women under, 142–43
fashion, 59, 76, 86–87, 113, 149, 275
business empires in, 177, 188
political importance of, 72–75
FC Internazionale Milano (Inter), 205–7
FDI Regulatory Restrictiveness Index, 222
Fellini, Federico, 143, 189, 213, 292
feminist movement, 141–43, 148–49, 174
Ferrari, 60, 204
Ferrero, Michele, 176–77
fesso, fessi, 33–34, 97
Fiat motor company, 9, 51, 60, 124, 176, 213
fidanzata, fidanzato, 158, 172
Filipinos, as immigrants, 279–80, 282
financial crisis of 2007, 80–81
Five-Star Movement (M5S), 59, 85, 116
Flaiano, Ennio, 213, 283
flattery, 92–93
Florence, 4, 8, 19, 50, 59n, 66, 127n, 159, 203, 206, 211
football, see soccer
forgiveness, 257–58
Formula One motor racing, 204, 208
Forum, Roman, 15n
Forza Italia, 59, 79, 81
France, French, 10, 12, 15, 35, 76, 81, 117, 124, 136n, 144, 221, 283, 291
cuisine of, 97, 102–3
influence on Italy of, 9, 10, 19, 20, 21, 22
Italy compared with, 49, 64, 87, 98, 110, 143, 147, 159, 162, 173, 178, 201, 227, 239, 240, 272, 277, 283
Francis, Pope, 119
Francis of Assisi,
Saint, 4, 136
Franks, 12, 15
Frederick II, Holy Roman emperor, 19, 20, 122, 275
Freemasonry, 125–27
French language, 26, 27, 116n
Friuli–Venezia Giulia, 10, 11, 27
fumata blanca, 133–34
furbo, furbizia, 33–34, 97, 241, 258
Galilei, Galileo, 4, 66n, 76
Gambetta, Diego, 235–36
gambling, 116–18
garantisti, 263–64
Garibaldi, Giuseppe, 30, 36, 37, 125, 272
gay marriage, gay partnerships, 129, 169
Gelli, Licio, 125
Gelmini, Mariastella, 121
gender roles, 138, 139–54, 156–57, 166–67
Genoa, 5, 10, 22, 99, 205–6
Genoese Republic, 10
geography, 4–11, 22, 270–71
German language, 85n, 139
in Italy, 10, 26, 27
Germany, Germans, 20, 31, 35, 66, 108, 122n, 203, 227, 273, 289, 291
influence on Italy of, 15–16, 26
Italy compared with, 42, 49, 64, 87, 98, 114, 178, 197, 220, 240
in World War II, 34–35, 50, 52, 59n, 123, 140
gesticulation, 75–76
Getty, John Paul, III, 233
ghibellini (Ghibellines), 203–4
gift wrapping, 77, 85–86
Giornale, Il, 61, 84
giustizialisti, 262–63
Global Gender Gap Report, 146–47
Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von, 7, 141
Goths, 14, 26, 67
government:
diffusion of power in, 42–44
historical self-rule in localities, 25, 43
Rome as center of, 35, 43
women in, 150
see also politics
grande bellezza, La (The Great Beauty), 292–93
grandparents, role of, 179–80
Great Britain, British, 30, 31, 35, 51, 59n, 64n, 74–76, 80, 81, 85n, 101, 121–22, 125, 166, 205, 211, 242, 262, 274, 289, 290
Italy compared with, 37, 42, 64, 85, 87, 94–96, 98, 110, 111, 114, 130, 134, 146n, 147, 157, 160, 170, 171n, 173, 174, 178–80, 182, 195, 197, 201, 220, 227, 238, 240, 258, 274, 277, 282–83
Greece, Greeks, 26, 28, 66, 87, 102, 196, 222, 235
Grillo, Beppe, 116, 150
Guardia de Finanza, 42, 83
guelfi (Guelphs), 203–4
hacking, in educational cheating, 61–62
Haiti, 288
Hapsburg Empire, 11
hate crimes, 168–69
Henry VI, Holy Roman emperor, 19
heroin use, 232
Herrera, Helenio “Il Mago,” 206–7
Hitler, Adolf, 56, 123, 199
Holy Roman Empire, 15–19, 20, 202–3
homosexuals, 129, 159, 167–69
housewives, 147, 153
husbands, role of, 153–54, 166
If Not Now, When? (Levi), 150
used as slogan, 167
imagination (fantasia), 56–71
immigrants, in Italy:
in elder care, 177–78
ethnic cuisine of, 101–2
expulsion of, 48, 285
family and, 173
illegal or unauthorized, 281, 286
insensitivity toward, 282
integration problems faced by, 279–86
number of, 279–80, 286
religious diversity of, 130, 134
vital role of, 286
India, 43, 222, 247
individualismo, 201
indulto (pardon), 255
industry:
lack of innovation in, 182
northern Italy as center of, 8, 9, 28, 205
rise of, 130, 187
Innocent III, Pope, 122
inquisitorial justice, 262, 265
Internet, 85, 161, 162
in educational cheating, 61–62
gambling and, 118
news and, 46, 47, 84, 130
politics and, 79, 81
wariness of, 110
invasions, 12–15, 17, 20–21, 30, 59, 67, 99, 107, 114, 130, 271
in vitro fertilization, 92, 129
Isfol, 245–46
Istanbul (Constantinople), 14, 196
Istat surveys, 110, 148, 153, 167, 171, 274
Italia, various interpretations of term, 270–72
Italian Americans, 91–92, 164, 241, 281
Italian language, 10, 46, 96, 139, 145, 165, 180, 191–92
Church’s influence on, 133–34
dialects of, 27–28
effect of family on grammar of, 172–73
official national, 274
titles and terms of address in, 192–95
Italian Republic, 30, 141
Italian Riviera, 10, 117
Italians:
achievements in art and culture of, 3–4, 12, 19, 21, 59, 76
ambiguity prized by, 44–55
ambiguous view toward foreigners by, 30–32, 194
appearance valued by, 72–89, 113, 188–89, 201
as averse to change, 104–18, 289–90
commonality of, 28–29, 273–74
communal social activity of, 199–215
complexity valued by, 39, 40–44
as conspiratorial, 69–70
creativity of, 56–61
and deception, 33–35, 60–71
divisions among, 269–72, 274–76
ethnic composition of, 26
growing tolerance for risk among, 116–17
isolation of, 189, 271
as joiners, 202
as kindly and forgiving, 257–58
low morale of, 291–92
as mistrustful, 34–35, 39, 101–3, 109–16, 184–85, 186–98, 235, 273
national identity questions for, 269–87
as optimistic, 136
overseas, 279
as querulous, 202–3
sense of pride and superiority of, 28–29
theatricality of, 65–66
truth as subjective for, 44–47
unhappiness quotient of, 287–88
as vulnerable and downtrodden, 29–30, 88
work ethic of, 94–95, 113
Italian Wars, 20–21
Italmobiliare, 177
Italy:
colonialism of, 37, 283–84
current and future vision for, 287–93
declining birth rate of, 48
foreign domination of, 4, 12–22, 26, 29, 33, 67
geographic division of, 4–11, 270–72
historical division of, 12–22, 25, 31, 271, 275–77
internal migration in, 128–29, 234, 274–75
maps of, xiii, xiv
as monarchy, 30
multiple languages and dialects spoken in, 26–28
national anthem of, 29–30, 120
north-south cultural diversity in, 11, 17, 23–26, 67, 234, 272, 273
regions of, xiv, 4–11
Janiculum Hill, 7
Japan, 201–2, 228–29
Japanese cuisine, 101–2
Jews, 18, 66–67, 123–24, 165
oppression of, 122–23, 206
John Paul II, Pope, 53, 134, 135, 194
Joseph, Saint, 166
journalism, see media
judges, 259–63, 265, 266–67
jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), 278–79
justice system, see legal system
Juventus Football Club, 205, 207, 213–15
kidnappings, by mafia, 233
Knox, Amanda, trial of, 49–50
Lampedusa island, 5
L’Aquila, 6
lasagna, 99
Lateran Pacts, 121, 127
Latin America, 48, 220, 229, 241, 276
Latin language, 65
Latium, 7
Lautsi, Soile, 121
lay judges, 259–60, 265
Lazio region, 7–9, 25, 232, 285
Lazzaro, Urbano, 50–51
Ledda, Gavino, 257n
legal system, 249–68
Berlusconi’s changes in, 247–48
cheating and perjury in, 63
circumventing of, 251–53, 258, 289–90
complexity of, 41–42, 254, 259–60
cruelty of, 260–61
divorce in, 129, 142, 174–75
family law in, 174
forgiveness vs. retribution in, 253–68
homosexuality and, 167–68
lack of deterrents for corruption in, 242–43
lenient sentencing in, 254–56, 258
politics and, 266–68
reform of, 262, 265–66
subjective truth in, 45, 49–50
see also specific cases and trials
Lent, 93–94
Leo III, Pope, 12–13, 15–16
Leonardo da Vinci, 3, 28
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT), 168–69
see also homosexuals
Letta, Enrico, 113, 150
Levi, Primo, 123, 150
Liberation Day (April 25), 58
life, Italian reverence for, 10–91
Liguria region, 10
Ljunge, Martin, 183–84
Loffredo, Ferdinando, 142–43
Lombards, 14–15, 18, 20, 26, 28, 67, 271n
Lombardy region, 9–10, 131–32, 243, 285
Lonati, Bruno, 51–52
Lotta Continua (Continuous Struggle), 259
lotteries, 116–18, 134, 136–37
lottizzazione, 108, 219–20
Luxottica, 177, 187
McDonald’s, 97, 190
Machiavelli, Niccolò, 104, 271, 287, 292
Madonna, 155, 158
mafias, mafiosi, 7, 32, 68, 134, 215, 223–36, 254, 264, 272
assassinations by, 230
extent and impact of, 231–36
hierarchy of, 229–30
historical perspective of, 228, 235, 236
prosecutions of, 230, 233, 234
unique characteristics of, 229–31
use of term, 216, 226
see also specific criminal organizations
magistratura, 266–67
Magistratura Democratica, 267–68
Magistratura Indipendente, 267–68
Magnani, Anna, 143–44
mammisimo (son’s dependence on mother), 164–66
Manacorda, Marco, 179–81
Manifesto di rivolta femminile, 144–45
Mani Pulite investigation, see Clean Hands investigation
Mantua, Duchy of, 122, 271