Digital Platforms
The digital revolution has profoundly changed how goods and services are consumed by increasing their availability online, thereby enhancing the role of web platforms. Indeed, these latter have been an essential tool for extending political rights such as freedom of speech, and for framing new ones, especially within the economic sphere, such as consumer rights. At the same time, however, they have laid the groundwork for a concentration of overriding powers, and the abuse of those powers.
Foreign policy: a lever for economic development
Today’s international scenario is distinguished by a strong interdependence of foreign policy and domestic priorities, particularly as a lever for economic development. The pandemic has once again confirmed the need for broad multilateral cooperation in the spirit of “build back better”. This in terms of sustainable transition (production as well as consumption) and fairness, along with the management of regional and global conflicts and tensions.
Global trade and protectionism: a new balance post-Covid
The pandemic has not halted global trade and, with recovery now in sight, the data offer an encouraging picture. Nevertheless, the scenario has changed dramatically. The globalization of the 1990s and the early 2000s have given way to a global fragmentation that has led various countries to reinforce bonds with historic allies and trusted partners.
A new digital framework: markets, rules and innovation
In what is a changing transatlantic and international context, the European Union has opened a new phase in the debate on the digital economy. It could be said that institutional constraints no longer exist on regulatory activity in this sector; the problem now is, if anything, to direct political will and garner broad consensus on updated rules. The principle of digital taxation has been outlined in general terms, even at the level of the transatlantic dialogue, but the precise legislative details still need to be worked out.
The reform of justice and business
Two underlying problems were identified and discussed during a conversation with Minister of Justice Marta Cartabia: citizens’ limited trust in judges (cited as a “moral issue”), and the excessive length of trials. The latter, especially in the prosecution of tax evasion, has a significant detrimental impact on the economy.
Post pandemic Italy’s banking sector: new challenges, new opportunities for the real economy
As it leaves the health emergency behind, Italy is focusing on economic recovery. The European resources of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan offer major opportunities in a shifting scenario. On the one hand, the crisis was not the result of structural problems, but rather due to a situation created by the pandemic; this means that, despite the difficulties of this forced arrest, reviving the economic machine should not be too problematic. On the other hand, however, these long months of inactivity have compromised the financial situation of many firms.
Economic recovery: strengths and weaknesses in the business world
Apart from the pandemic’s quantifiable and, to some extent, already recognized impact, how it has influenced the economic policies of governments across the globe is another assessment to be made. It is along this dual track that the trajectory of recovery and medium-term development can be examined. The European context has shifted in response to post-pandemic needs that are, nevertheless, even more broadly changing the relationship between the roles of government and how global markets function.
The challenge of pandemic under-preparedness: the size of the problem, its impact and the best strategies for efficient health systems
The Covid-19 pandemic has ramped up the pressure on healthcare systems around the world, burdening already limited resources and existing capabilities. In order to ensure the quality and efficiency of services for all, healthcare systems need to build and improve their ability to be prepared for crises, while at the same time enhancing their essential primary functions. The discussion touched on the crucial aspects to be considered in making systems more efficient by reinforcing prevention.
Recovery and Resilience Facility and “Eurobond”: what news for the EU?
The bulk of the Recovery Plan’s massive investments are in the form of the Eurobonds with which the European Union plans to stimulate the continent’s post-pandemic economy. Nevertheless, their introduction – a proposal dating back to the late 1980s aimed at encouraging investments and infrastructure – could represent a veritable paradigm shift in EU policy. Fostering that, in the first place, would be the continent’s strategic autonomy in a range of sectors currently in need of a common vision with regard to protection and enhancement.
Opportunities and Risks in Europe’s Approach to Technological Sovereignty
Rome, 14 December 2020 – Aspen Institute Italia, in partnership with Google, will be holding an Aspenia Talk on “The challenge of European Digital Sovereignty” in digital mode. The talk will be hosted on the Zoom platform at 18.00 on 17 December 2020.
Policies, Costs and Funding for the Green Revolution in Europe and the United States
Rome, 7 December 2020 – Aspen Institute Italia, in partnership with Enel, will be holding an Aspenia Talk on “A new Green Deal between Europe and the USA” in digital mode. The talk will he hosted on the Zoom platform.
Aspen Forum Italy/France
What were already solid Italian-French relations have become even stronger as the two nations have confronted the challenges posed by the pandemic, the first and most restrictive of these having had to do with the second wave. The continuous coordination France and Italy have set in motion is emblematic of the unified European reaction that followed an initial lack of cooperation during the first phase of the emergency. Today’s joint European efforts on a vaccine is proof that the Union can play a decisive role in this crisis, with benefits across its entire membership.
The new US administration and transatlantic relations: a renewed NATO?
The arrival of a new administration in Washington offers an opportunity to reconsider the broad spectrum of commitments and instruments that NATO uses to pursue its objectives. The Alliance has shown a great capacity for adaptation, but the many challenges of the coming years are going to call for new joint efforts.
The future of Nato
The global security context needs to be interpreted and somehow modelled in order to better evaluate NATO’s trajectory and prospects: the international system seems to be caracterized by a form of “aggressive multipolarity”, as well as by a rather disorderly power competition across the spectrum. The US-China question has inevitably taken center stage, although the evolution of this bilateral relationship is far from clear at this stage.
The challenge of European Digital Sovereignty
Digital technology is clearly a fundamental sector of the twenty-first century economy. It also demands deep behavioral adaptation by individuals and the society as a whole, a new legislative framework and conceptual tools. There is broad consensus in Europe by now about the need to ensure greater autonomy with the freedom to set effective rules in this pivotal sector, establishing what is known as “digital sovereignty”.
A recipe to relaunch Italy’s economy
Italy must not underestimate the challenge of generating economic recovery using Next Generation EU resources. Europe, after so many years of hesitancy, made a decided shift in gears when it reached out to the market to collect the funds for reconstruction. It is now up to individual countries to submit credible recovery plans. There are various glitches to be resolved when it comes to the Italian situation – first among them being to formulate a consistent vision of the country’s future.
A new Green Deal between Europe and the US
The European Union has finally taken a vanguard position on green energy and climate change, approving major steps by other nations, such as China, Japan, South Africa, South Korea and the United States. The election of Joe Biden to the White House and the appointment of John Kerry as special climate envoy strongly suggest that transatlantic cooperation on the Green Deal, among other things, will be relaunched.
Aspen Institute Italia Award 2020 for scientific research and collaboration between Italy and the United States
Orbital angular momentum microlaser[1] – A semiconductor laser of micrometric size that produces twisted light by exploiting an “exceptional quantum point”: this is the study that won the fifth edition of the Aspen Institute Italia Award for collaboration and scientific research between Italy and the United States.
Europe’s big deal
Aspen Institute Italia hosted a conversation on the results of the 17-21 July European Council between Minister Amendola and Giulio Tremonti, during which they discussed topics of major interest in the casual “off the record” style typical of the encounters organized by the Institute.
Italy, Europe and India: building a post-covid economy
The world is in the midst of an unprecedented health and economic crisis, and there seems to be a vacuum in global leadership (certainly of US leadership). No single country can offer an effective recipe for resolution. The EU, at least, has recently demonstrated the ability to come together and agree on a large economic support package, but there remains a need for coordination at an even broader level. This, in turn, may require a consensus on common standards, from fair trade to scientific cooperation to specific health issues.
The international economy between globalism and nationalism. A new image for Italy
No real global strategy or collective response against the pandemic crisis has yet emerged. Even for those who in the past have led effective coordinated responses to crises –e.g. international terrorism (2001) and the 2008-2009 financial downturn (in other words the United States) – have for the first time ever gone “missing in action”. Thus, at least at the start, it has been everyone for themselves.