The Risks Of Corruption In Italy
The phenomenon of corruption is a problem of every society, all over the world (Meny, Della Porta, 1995)In every reality, corruption is a serious problem, which undermines and poisons the corporate structure of a country. In particular, it represents a real threat to democratic countries, being so contrary to the principles on which it is based that could lead to their destruction. (Meny, Della Porta, 1995)According to estimates, Italy is the most corrupt country in Europe and is ranked 54 in the world rankings (Transparency International Italia,2018)Furthermore, in Italy the spread of corruption perceived by citizens is high-rated: over 90% of the population believes that the whole system is corrupted (RQuotidiano, 2014)
Moved by a sense of justice perhaps too abstract, I have always considered paradoxical the concept of corruption. Such a deep crime, so rooted in my country, that it has become a habit. What paralyzes me is how it changed the mentality of Italians. Used to seeing corruption as something unavoidable and inevitable, everyone is convinced that nothing can be done to change. On the contrary, corruption becomes an almost natural aspect in everyone's life, to cause reverse discrimination. To be blamed are the whistleblowers, those who pay taxes, ask for the receipt and invoices. They are those who behave incorrectly, because they do not adapt to what is a praxis. This has produced what has become my research question: "What are the consequences of corruption in Italy?"Theoretical Framework In 1986 Ulrich Beck developed a vision of contemporary society, defining it as a "risk society". (McLaughlin, Muncie, Hughes, 2003). The modern society of the 20th century is seen as a society characterized by a change of course. Defined by Beck as "reflective modernity" this is no longer concerned with the socio-political aspects within it but focuses its attention on maintaining risk levels. He no longer worries about human actions, but about the unforeseeable consequences of the actions themselves. (McLaughlin, Muncie, Hughes, 2003) The loss of trust in institutions will be analysed as a risky consequence of corruption in the Italian system.
Article 1, paragraph 2 of the Constitution of the Italian Republic states “La sovranità appartiene al popolo, che la esercita nelle forme e nei limiti della Costituzione” ("Sovereignty belongs to the people, who exercise it in the forms and within the limits of the Constitution") (Senato della Repubblica, 2012; page 8). Despite this, Italy's rate of political participation has been declining for years, and there is a risk that it will continue to decline. (Istat, 2017). Applying the theories of Alessandro Pizzorno (1993), I will study the relationship between the sense of community and political participation, explaining how the lack of a sense of trust in the State leads to a consequent demoralization of the real influence of the citizens. (Pizzorno, 1993)David Garland in 1996 placed a specific meaning on the concept of risk. To make a risky event is not the phenomenon itself, but the perception that people have of it. What really generates a risky situation, understood as dangerous, is the way in which it is presented. (McLaughlin, Muncie, Hughes, 2003) Referring to risk perception theories I will study the consequences of corruption, even if only alleged, in public contracts in Italy. Arguments One of the main consequences of corruption in a country is the loss of trust in the State. According to the Istat data of 2016, in fact, Italy has low rates of confidence in Parliament, regional, provincial and municipal councils, and in the judicial system, once again placing the country away from European standards. (Istat, 2016)
The main factor of this lack of trust is seen in corruption. (Istat, 2014) In "The risk society", Ulrich Beck (1986) allows us to give an explanation to this distrust. The evolution of society, during the 20th century, led to a radical transformation of the state and institutional figures. But this change is so anchored to progress that it causes an association between future and risk. Contemporary society is a society that is afraid of its own future. The problem is that citizens are forced to trust institutions, as they lack the means to protect themselves. The distrust then, towards the state and institutions, becomes the only means that citizens have to be able to defend themselves. It becomes the only means with which to exercise power over the state itself. (McLaughlin, Muncie, Hughes, 2003) In a problematic society such as the Italian one, therefore, Beck's explanation seems extremely applicable. In a reality in which there is not even the shared feeling that the state functions, the only way that Italians have to defend themselves from the uncertainties and risks that the state offers is to get away from it. (McLaughlin, Muncie Hughes, 2003)Another risk resulting from the sense of lack of trust given by corruption is immediately related to social disintegration: the decrease in political participation. According to ISTAT data, in 2017 the rate of political activity fell by 3 percentage points compared to 2015, bringing absenteeism to the 60% threshold.
The main reasons were two: disinterest in the subject and mistrust in the Italian system. (Istat, 2017) In fact, more than 80% of the population believe that the political system is irreversibly corrupt. (RQuotidiano, 2014) In such a background of distrust in institutions caused by corruption, it is possible to explain the reduction of political participation in Italy. According to the theory of Alessandro Pizzorno, in fact, participation in the political life of a country is much higher as the higher the class consciousness (Pizzorno, 1993) Pizzorno theorized a system of mutual stimulation: as the class consciousness increases, political participation increases, which in turn strengthens class consciousness. (Pizzorno, 1993) In a political system characterized by the sense of distrust (RQuotidiano, 2014), the vision of Pizzorno is applicable to the reverse. Social disintegration causes a reduction in political participation, which reinforces the lack of sense of community. The risk of corruption gives a negative meaning to the Italian politics, leading to an ever-decreasing active interest. (Pizzorno, 1993)The risk we are talking about is not only connected to bureaucratic matters; it also affects the field of security. On 14. 08. 2018 the Polcevera viaduct collapsed, causing 43 deaths, more than 50 injured and very high damage to the city of Genoa. (La Stampa, 2018).
The investigations have spread the doubt that the collapse was caused by a work not properly terminated, because of the payment of bribes and illegal infiltration in the procurement system. (Argenio, 2018)Referring to the media, the event had a high resonance: the whole country was on holiday, and the Ligurian route is one of the busiest during the summer. The realization of such an unexpected event, together with the amount of damage caused, made the perception of the risk of a possible high fallout. After the Genoa events, in fact, a close control of over 300 infrastructures began throughout the peninsula. (Lillo, 2018)The surprising aspect was the speed with which this doubt had spread. A case was enough to start a control campaign across the country. What has changed is not the mathematical probability that such an event can be repeated. It is the perception of risk that has changed. The diffusion it has had is explained by Garland's theories. (McLaughlin, Muncie, Hughes, 2003)
According to Garland the concept of "risk" has different meanings, but in this case, it is possible to analyze it as the result of an imbalance between two factors: the probability of an event occurring, and the amount of damage caused by it. What changes perception is the way a phenomenon is presented (McLaughlin, Muncie, Hughes, 2003)The emphasis placed by the mass media on key words ("victims", "suspects", "corruption") (La Stampa, 2018) has altered the perception of Italians on the causes-effects of the Genoa accident. The risk in this case was that of doubt about people own safety. In this case, the consequence of even alleged corruption has influenced the perception of security of the entire country (Griseri, 2018)Conclusions Italy is a country with many problems and difficulties. The spread and rooting of corruption is perhaps one of the main, if not the most serious. It generates a sense of distrust of the state, which is poisoning many aspects of citizens' daily life. The feeling of general uncertainty about the functioning of the political apparatus, the fear for one's own safety and the disintegration of the sense of community are serious issues. Those are very dangerous threats for the stability of a country, accentuated by the belief that corruption is an unavoidable and immutable characteristic. In this scenario, Italy is a proper "risk society". In my opinion what is lacking in Italy is the sense of honesty and altruism.
What is needed is a radical change in the way Italian people think to make sure that the collective well-being comes naturally before the personal one. Such a change must be produced from the bottom. Not only because of the current lack of trust in the institutions but because it would generate a new political class that is aware of this type of needs and surrounded by colleagues with the same values. Now, I am aware that this would be a utopian reality, but I am convinced that greater awareness of these issues would make the temptation of corruption much less effective. It is important, even mandatory; that Italians do not resign themselves and are convinced that no one has price.
