NPR. New Italy sings same old song of dysfunction. Economic, political and social chaos could make Italy the West's first "failed state". But, according to Christopher Winner, editor and publisher of the American Magazine, a monthly news magazine based in Italy, the current crisis is nothing new and nothing compared to past turmoil. "Italy has a tendency towards drama," he says. "These are people who are attracted to opera". Winner acknowledges that the figures aren't very pleasant. But he says that what a European state is expected to provide above all is health care and education and this country does that. Political dysfunction is a proud Italian tradition, Winner notes.

(cfr. English 24, inserto de Il sole 24 ore, n.5, maggio 2008)