Lorenzo Castellani

Lorenzo Castellani, a researcher at LUISS Guido Carli in Rome, delves into the paradox of Alberto Beneduce, a socialist who thrived under Mussolini's regime. They discuss the dilemma of cooperating with authoritarianism and Beneduce's fascinating dual role: opposing fascism while building influential economic institutions. Castellani highlights how Beneduce's work laid the groundwork for post-war Italian capitalism, creating a 'state outside the state' that survived fascism. The conversation also touches on Italy's pioneering state interventionism and the blurred lines in Beneduce's nationalistic ties with Mussolini.