Candido in America

Published in 1759, Candide is Voltaire's best-known satirical novel that mercilessly lampoons philosophy, religion, government, and literature of the time. The story follows Candide, a young and naive man indoctrinated with optimistic philosophy by his tutor Pangloss, who believes that "all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds. " After being expelled from his sheltered home, Candide endures a series of catastrophic adventures including war, natural disasters, and human cruelty, which gradually erode his optimism. The novel culminates in Candide and his companions retreating to a simple life on a small farm, embracing the practical philosophy of "cultivating one's garden" as a rejection of excessive idealism and metaphysics. Through sharp irony and parody, Voltaire critiques the idea of a just and benevolent God and highlights the chaotic and often malevolent nature of the world.

In "Lo Stato Imprenditore" (The Entrepreneurial State), Mariana Mazzucato challenges the conventional view of the public sector as bureaucratic and inefficient. She argues that the state has been a crucial investor and innovator in many sectors, driving technological advancements and economic growth. Mazzucato highlights examples such as the development of the internet, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy, where government funding and research played a vital role. She critiques the tendency to privatize the rewards of innovation while socializing the risks, advocating for a more equitable distribution of benefits. The book calls for a new framework that recognizes and values the state's entrepreneurial role in shaping the economy. Mazzucato proposes policies that allow the public sector to capture a greater share of the value it creates, fostering sustainable and inclusive innovation.