A special episode of La Torre di Babele aired on March 3, 2025, on La7, featuring renowned journalist Corrado Augias. The evening focused on the new era of capitalism, sparked by the re-election of Donald Trump as President of the United States, and explored the potential geopolitical ramifications of this new economic order.
The episode, which kicked off at 9:15 PM, included discussions with key figures such as Ignazio Visco, the former governor of the Bank of Italy, and journalist Massimo Giannini. They delved deep or the impacts of American economic policies on Europe, particularly concerning inflation, trade wars, and increasing inequalities.
Central to the evening's program was the documentary titled Il Capitalista, directed by Jacques Charmelot, which provided viewers with an intimate look at the life and career of Carlo De Benedetti. This documentary served as a platform for De Benedetti to reflect on Italy's transition to capitalism and the inherent contradictions of his role as both a capitalist and critic of the economic system.
During the segment, De Benedetti revealed significant regrets about his past, most prominently the missed opportunity to invest in Apple when he met Steve Jobs. “He asked me who I was, and I told him I was the chairman of Olivetti,” De Benedetti recounted. “He proposed, ‘If you invest 20 million, you can own 10 percent of our company.’ I saw it as a challenge impossible to accept, and it was the greatest mistake of my life,” he reflected, shedding light on the potential he overlooked during the early days of the tech giant.
De Benedetti’s insights did not end there; he recounted his challenging discussions with Gianni Agnelli, the iconic figure from Fiat. Reflecting on the corporate culture, he explained the tough decisions he had to make, stating, “The substantial problem was our labor costs being too high compared to our competitors. When I mentioned to Agnelli the need to lay off 60,000 employees, his response was sardonic, asking, ‘Where are they? Lying down in the corridors?’ My reply was straightforward: ‘No, they’re on the balance sheet, which you unfortunately can’t read.’” This exchange highlighted the stark realities of managing ambitious business plans against the backdrop of harsh economic constraints.
Throughout the evening, the audience was drawn not only to the personal tales of De Benedetti but also to the broader themes of capitalism and economic disparities. The conversation surrounding the anniversary of Trump’s re-election as president made it particularly relevant, as the guests explored its ramifications for the current state of politics and economics both domestically and globally.
Augias’s approach was to present the dialogue as not just one of critique but also of introspection, urging audiences to grapple with the consequences of capitalism as demonstrated through De Benedetti’s historical analysis and personal journeys. “It’s not just about what we’ve built; it's also about what we're resilient enough to critique and reshape going forward,” Augias articulated. This sentiment echoed through the discussions, placing the evening’s content squarely within the current socio-economic climate.
Overall, the episode balanced personal anecdotes and serious economic discourse, effectively highlighting both the individual and collective struggles within the capitalist framework. Such nuanced conversations encourage viewers to not only reflect on past decisions like those of De Benedetti but also to reconsider the future of capitalism and its fundamental structures.
The unique storytelling techniques employed throughout the documentary Il Capitalista enhanced the engagement of the audience, presenting archival footage and personal reflections, offering deep insights, and inviting viewers to contemplate the broader economic paradigms they navigate daily. This captivating juxtaposition of personal history against the backdrop of collective evolution provides fertile ground for discussions on the nature and consequences of capitalism.
This special airing on La7 demonstrated the importance of media platforms like La Torre di Babele, which not only entertain but also illuminate significant global issues through informed dialogue and introspection. The confluence of celebrity, history, and economic policy gives audiences avenues to engage with these ideas critically, making episodes like this invaluable to public discourse.