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The *Two* Whisky Happy Hour: The View from Europe, with Edoardo Raffiotta

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This isn’t our normal 3WHH; John isn’t here, just Steve and Lucretia. So maybe a 2WHH. The occasion for today’s extra episode—since we moved up our usual weekly offering on account of the latest weekly Trump indictment, is to take note of two related items.

First, did you know that Italy’s new and very popular prime minister Giorgia Meloni recently visited Washington and had a brief meeting with President Biden? I missed this too, as the meeting took place behind closed doors, probably to cover up the fact that Biden either fell asleep or sniffed PM Meloni’s blonde hair, and there was apparently no press availability or public photo op. Of course, Biden called Meloni a fascist when she was first elected, so I expect there was no enthusiasm for noting her visit.

The second item is an article in National Review ("The Italian Option") recently on Meloni, where Dalibor Rohac argues that Meloni is a better model for nationalist conservatives than Hungary’s Viktor Orban, because Meloni’s positions on various matters are more congenial to Americans. Maybe so, though I note Rohac’s article neglects to mention that Meloni is fond of Orban, having met with him a number of times. And Rohac is a defender of the European Union, which makes us suspicious right there.

Leaving aside the whole Hungary question for another day, this seems like an occasion to roll out at last a conversation Lucretia and Steve had recently with one of our favorite Italians thinkers—and part-time opera singer—Edoardo Raffiotta. Edoardo is professor of law at the University of Milan, where we first made his acquaintance last year at a conference. He specializes in European constitutional law, and especially the problems of emergency powers (hence is occasional interest in Carl Schmitt). He is also actively involved in legal issues pertaining to cyber-security and the fast-moving field of artificial intelligence, which of course are specialities of Lucretia. We wanted to hear first hand from Edoardo about Meloni and other topics—including opera. Stick around after we finish with Edoardo, because Lucretia and I will come back with a “postgame” show of sorts where we offer some additional reflections about the wider scene—and make a small news announcement.

And we manage to sneak in a few bars of Edoardo's favoite Puccini opera, La Rondine, at the end.

Hosts:
'Lucretia'Steve Hayward
Guest:
Edoardo Raffiotta

Discussion (5)

  • Noell Colin the gadfly@Apeirokalia
    Edoardo Raffiotta's stance appears to perpetuate the cycle of violence, disregard for individual rights, and subpar governance that Europe has come to be well known for. While skepticism towards corporations that wield considerable power is well-founded, I do not believe that granting more authority to governments offers a viable solution. The trajectory of the European Union and the WEF serves as frustrating cautionary examples. Furthermore, as significant as Apple's influence may be, it pales in comparison to the power wielded by entities like Vanguard and Blackrock through CEI and ESG initiatives. A wise conservative approach would entail adopting a third position, one that safeguards and guarantees privacy rights for individuals while equally applying to both corporations and governments. Additionally, measures should be taken to prevent collusion between companies and the government. Furthermore, any imposition of ESG or CEI-like criteria should be precluded. Such an approach would preserve rights, foster innovation (even in Italy, thus alleviating any envy towards Apple by Edoardo), preserve cultural integrity, and maximize economic mobility.
  • Dr.Guido@DrGuido

    Signora Meloni has been VERY good but has gone a bit soft on illegals but unlike Kammy has gone to the border to see it for herself... net-net, she's pretty much the best leader Bel Italia has had in a LONG time. my Roman friends who are now also newly minted American citizens and very conservative are pleased with her. I do not know how the gadfly (above) decided she perpetuates a cycle of violence....she's gone to Palermo and Napoli and called out the Mafia and Cosa Nostra in no uncertain terms.

    Brava!

  • Noell Colin the gadfly@Apeirokalia
    ReplyingtoDr.Guido

    Dr.Guido (View Comment):

    Signora Meloni has been VERY good but has gone a bit soft on illegals but unlike Kammy has gone to the border to see it for herself… net-net, she’s pretty much the best leader Bel Italia has had in a LONG time. my Roman friends who are now also newly minted American citizens and very conservative are pleased with her. I do not know how the gadfly (above) decided she perpetuates a cycle of violence….she’s gone to Palermo and Napoli and called out the Mafia and Cosa Nostra in no uncertain terms.

    Brava!

    Apologies, I made a serious typo, I meant Edoardo not Meloni in the above, I have edited it...

    In considering Meloni, I hold a considerable degree of skepticism. My conviction rests in the belief that the European Union does not stand as a sincere collaborator with Italy. The engagement with the EU, in my view, does not yield productive outcomes. It is my suspicion that a form of controlled opposition might be at play. Similar sentiments are evoked by Edoardo, suggesting a concerted effort towards consolidating governmental power.

    The rhetoric, on the surface, concerning "traditional notions" of gender, family, nationalism, and culture, alongside lab-grown meat, while sounding agreeable, holds limited significance in my estimation.

    Furthermore, while my expertise on the Italian mafia is limited, the attention garnered by her confrontation with them seems rather inconsequential. The mafia, in its domain, does not impose cumbersome regulations on its populace through unelected bodies such as the EU/UN, nor does it adhere to the dictates of foreign nations. If faced with the choice between a local Italian mob and a global cabal orchestrating directives from a distance, as an Italian, I would lean towards the former. The local mob, at the very least, contends with the sway of local sentiment, and their continuance relies on providing tangible services that resonate with the community, a dynamic missing in the dominion of global figures like Klaus or Charles Michel.

    Reference the last paragraph on my earlier comment, I maintain that it applies to Meloni as well.

  • Richard Easton@RichardEaston

    Lucretia commented about how beautifully Italian women dress. Before I met her, my wife was in California for a convention. She was driving around Malibu with her boss. All of the people were stunningly beautiful. Her boss said, “Don’t these people made you feel like a toad.” My wife responded, “Speak for yourself Ray.” They both laughed.