Is called “2020 Pandemic and Resurrection” the new essay by Giulio Sapelli, published by Guerini e Associati and goWare.
In this pamphlet, the economic historian analyzes the crisis caused by the coronavirus emergency in Italy and in the world, starting from the mistakes made in the management of the pandemic and reaching its economic, political and social effects, which will certainly not be insignificant. Referring to the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans in which we read "I believe that the sufferings of the present time are not comparable to the future glory that will be revealed", Sapelli's analysis however leaves the reader with one hope: the one that this pandemic can turn into an opportunity for transformation for everyone. Indeed, even more of resurrection, as stated in the title of the work.
"A 'black swan' of immense proportions has swept the world with frightening virulence," says Professor Sapelli. It is currently impossible to know with certainty what the consequences of this "fatal year" will be. It will take time to understand the real effects of what is happening in the world. However, according to the author, one cannot avoid doing an analysis of the ways in which this emergency was managed. The pandemic and its management are the bitter fruit of a globalized society and economic system as well as a retreat of politics, the state and the public spirit, continues Sapelli, who delves into the reasons underlying the reality that surrounds us. A dramatic, unfortunate reality, from which however we can learn and which will become an occasion for resurrection. "The common good, so precious at the moment, must be placed at the center of the scene and mere private and national gains must succumb". To do it it is necessary for society to make a real leap into the void, moving from the domination of the market to the recognition of work as the main tool for guaranteeing social equity, well-being, security and justice.
Below we report the first part of the introduction of the essay "2020 Pandemic and Resurrection":
1. The theme of work
The current crisis places the problem of work, together with the digital theme, at the center of the reproduction of society in a homeostatic form with the defense of health and never in a separate form: this is the trend that will prevail if we want to survive and which makes incompetence appear and conflicts of interest as manifest residues of a dying world.
Ma les morts saisit les vives: and this is true, today, in an emblematic form. Our way of building polyarchy to date – without a good one governance – with the separation of private interests from public ones and with the prevalence of the particular interest over the general one, it must transform itself, on pain of destroying society, without alternatives. Globally understood innovation, which must extend from technology to morality, is the only way of salvation we have.
Capitalism or barbarism it no longer becomes the lemma of Cornielius Castoriadis with respect to the renewal of revolutionary thought, but the theoretical and practical leap (Hic Rodhus, hic salta) necessary for the very reproduction of capitalist society.
Capitalism, if it is to survive, must changesi to keepsi, with respect to the theme of work, bringing technology back to the most correct role of supporting human work, the basic element of value for every organization.
If we rediscover the strength to bend over to moral and philosophical metaphysical study and meditation, the very concept of community will emerge, as understood by German sociological thought between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries: Community of Society: because the community can always rebuild itself in society, as that great economist Alfred Marshall also taught us.
And it will have to arise, already arises spontaneously, from human work associated with a sort of new territoriality with the discovery that delocalization is not inevitable.
Today, even those who firmly believed in the market (and continue to believe in it still) and in the optimal allocative virtue of the market, discover that delocalization has negative externalities on many aspects of social life: from work to the environment, to the quality of products and production and distribution processes.
2. Rethinking the circular economy
Without this rethinking, the circular economy as a new model of production and not just waste recycling has no chance of being reversed, as does the fight against climate change.
In this way, even the so-called "national interest" will be reclassified and will find a wise, non-aggressive, but rather constructive foundation. And there are already emblematic creative entrepreneurial achievements in this regard around the world.
Reconstructing and building, for example, manufacturing in the territories of both the South and the North of the planet will be part of a continuous work of maintenance and reproduction of the social systems territorially settled in the world, both in a stable form and in a migratory and seeking form of a rooting.
