We are experiencing an unconscious metamorphosis. The seasons we are passing through are marked by radical social and economic transformations. Nevertheless, we struggle to fully comprehend their real scope. We are immersed in a sort of 'continuous present' generated by the new communication technologies, which merge the past and the future into something that appears all contemporary to us. Without realising it, we are experiencing an epochal change and rewriting the paradigms of development. The occasion of EXPO in this respect is emblematic. A multiplicity of countries are exhibiting not only architecture or food, but through them the ideas of progress that characterise them. An evolution that is, however, different from that which originated our societies, and which we still struggle to prefigure fully. What is certain is that it is no longer destined for linear and progressive growth, but multiple and multidimensional; it can no longer rely on the idea of an unlimited availability of environmental resources and must imagine itself more equitable and sustainable.
All of this, within a framework complicated by the fact that some (minority) parts of the globe have already experienced industrial development, while others (majority) are emerging in recent years.
Precisely for these reasons, theories of progress are undergoing profound reinterpretations. Scholars such as Senn, Attali and Latouche propose different perspectives on development, ranging from considering the growth of individual capabilities as fundamental, to the idea of happy degrowth. The very measure of a nation's wealth through Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been questioned for several years and new indicators capable of better approximating reality are being sought. To consider how wealth is not only the result of material production, but also of the state of health, education, and psycho-physical well-being of a population.
On these issues, Community Media Research surveyed Italians to understand what idea of economic development they consider desirable. One element stands out clearly and involves about three quarters (72.0%) of the population, particularly among the inhabitants of the North-East and Centre-South. It is unthinkable to stop progress and economic growth, it is necessary to continue producing and working, but changing its character: attention must be paid above all to the sustainability and quality of development. Thus, the idea that progress has trajectories that cannot be stemmed is widespread. However, there is an urgent need to direct it towards a greater balance with the environment and the different areas of the planet. Above all, one that places the dimension of quality of life at the centre.
On the other hand, we find those who believe that we should not go off the road we have taken so far, that we should continue to work and produce as we have done so far because otherwise we would risk losing the wealth we have built up. This is a marginal share among the population (5.0%) and with a particular concentration in the south of Italy. Between these positions, there are two different but close points of view. On the one hand, those who clearly express the idea that the quality of life is determined by a drastic reduction in our production and consumption rhythms. This case also includes a small nucleus of people (17.6%), but not marginal quantitatively and particularly present in the North West of the country, i.e. in those areas where industrial development of the Fordist matrix had the greatest presence. On the other hand, one observes an orientation that could be described as defensive. The wealth acquired so far is sufficient and can suffice: the important thing is to be able to defend it (5.4%).
Wanting to offer a summary measure, we have constructed a profile of the orientations towards economic development. The largest group is made up of the 'sustainable' (72.0%) who emphasise balance and quality of progress. This position is particularly present among the male component, the 60-year-olds and students. Far behind is the group of 'happy declinists' (23.0%). This is a minority share, but definitely not a small one, and is particularly prevalent among the female component, the 50-year-olds, those with a university degree and living in the oldest industrialised areas (North West). Finally, we meet the group of 'conservatives' (5.0%) who propose not to change the development model pursued so far. It is a marginal share, but one that is more prominent among the over-65s, housewives, those living in the South and those with a low educational qualification.
Environmental sustainability, the balance of global development, the centrality of quality of life are the expectations towards economic development for the vast majority of Italians. They are not mere slogans, but represent the vision of the future, the core values by which it is possible to (re)think about the future and the evolution of Italy.
Daniele Marini
Methodological note
Community Media Research, in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo for La Stampa, is conducting the LaST (Laboratory on Society and Territory) survey, which was carried out nationwide from 20 February to 27 March 2015 on a representative sample of the population resident in Italy, aged over 18. The methodological aspects and the survey were handled by the specialist company Questlab. The total number of respondents was 1,493 and, in order to better correspond to the universe of the population, the data analysis was reproportioned on the basis of gender, territory, age classes, professional status and educational qualification. The margin of error is +/-2.6%. Survey participants were invited to answer a questionnaire via the web through the main social networks and through the activation of a random sample of names that could be reached by e-mail (CAWI) and by telephone (CATI). Daniele Marini designed and directed the research. The results are available at www.indaginelast.it.
