Luigi Barzini, the Italian social critic, wrote in his 1964 American bestseller about his home country that "the Italian way of life cannot be considered a success except by temporary visitors. It solves no problems. It makes them worse". Is the Italian political imagination as fractious as we tend to think? Was Matteo Salvini's clarion call to close Europe's borders a harbinger of a new immigration politics across Europe? If so, what are other canaries in the Italian coalmine that may augur tide changes across the Old World? Chris Caldwell and Alessandra Bocchi have both been more than temporary visitors over the years, and they more often than not seem to concur with Barzini, albeit with nuances. We are so blessed to have these two distinguished writers discuss the Italian malaise on our show, in the wake of Mario Draghi's formation of a new Italian government.   Rate and review Uncommon Decency on Apple Podcasts, and send us your comments or questions at @UnDecencyPod or uncommondecencypod@gmail.com.