Reactionary Heresies of a Discontented Westerner

This essay, which features specific references to the Italian situation, is based on a powerful idea: in the Western world, the concept of “democracy” has degenerated, as the scope of “civil rights” has gradually expanded dramatically since the Second World War, while simultaneously witnessing an inexorable decline in economic, employment, and even mental well-being.

“Economic rights”, increasingly sacrificed on the altar of the individualistic ethics promoted by capitalism, are defended more and more weakly even by those left-wing parties which – by historical tradition – should have had the task of protecting them. Indeed, these “progressive” parties – now fully adapted to the laws of the “free market” – are desperately compensating for the loss of economic well-being with ever-increasing doses of individual “freedoms” to stay afloat.

By comparing politicians of the present and the past, I seek to highlight the ambiguity of the clear distinction between “democracies” and autocracies. In this regard, I devote considerable space to the war in Ukraine, as it seems to me to be clear evidence of a “double standard” practiced throughout the West in the name of a “democratic system” that is increasingly hollow, yet always proudly defended against the “bad guys” on the other side of the world—namely, the autocrats who deny the “civil rights” we extol here at the expense of others.

Finally, in the final pages, I offer an alternative definition—in my opinion more fitting—to characterize today’s decadent democracies.

Non-Italian readers will find some details on Italy’s recent history and peculiarities that they can compare with those of their own country. I hope that things will be better where they live.