Word: barzini
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...Italians, Barzini...
...ITALIANS, by Luigi Barzini. This exuberant book focuses more on individuals than Leonhardt's sociological study...
Germans. Italian Journalist Barzini finds his countrymen self-centered, corrupt and instinctively theatrical. But, unwittingly, he celebrates their warmth, spontaneity and fierce individuality...
Habits of Mind. "The only fundamental institution in the country" is the family, thinks Barzini. Within the family, Italians practice "virtues other men usually dedicate to the welfare of their country at large; the Italians' family loyalty is their true patriotism." High honor, great love and sacrifice can result. But the strength of the family is not only a defense against disorder, argues Barzini, "but one of its principal causes," forestalling the development of strong political institutions, fostering the habits of nepotism and corruption that every Italian instinctively understands...
...tone of jaunty worldliness, Barzini's is a cry of despair: "The tenacity and the eagerness with which the individual pursues his private interests and defends himself from society, his mistrust of noble ideals and motives, the splendid show, the all-pervading indulgence for man's foibles, make Italian life pleasant and bearable in spite of poverty, tyranny and injustice. They also waste the efforts and the sacrifices of the best Italians and make poverty, tyranny and injustice very difficult to defeat...