Bruno Leoni Institute

Last updated
Bruno Leoni Institute
Type Think-tank
Purpose Ordoliberalism, Austrian School, classical liberalism
HeadquartersPiazza Cavour 3, Turin
Piazza Castello 23, Milan
President
 Franco Debenedetti
Director General
 Alberto Mingardi
Key people
 Carlo Lottieri, Nicola Rossi, Antonio Martino, Sergio Ricossa
Affiliations Cooler Heads Coalition, Atlas Network, EPICENTER
Website www.brunoleoni.it

The Bruno Leoni Institute, named after philosopher and scholar Bruno Leoni, is an Italian libertarian think-tank promoting classical liberal ideas in Italy and in Europe. It was founded in 2003 by three libertarian scholars Carlo Lottieri, Alberto Mingardi and Carlo Stagnaro. IBL organizes conferences, publishes books, briefings and academic papers, and assists undergraduate and graduate students with their research work.

Contents

About

IBL was established in 2003 to promote free-market ideas. In particular, as stated on its website, the Institute aims to “contribute to the Italian political discourse, to enable a proper appreciation of the role of liberty and private enterprise as pillars of a more prosperous and open society”. [1]

The Institute is an Italian libertarian public policy research organization, structured on the model of US think tanks such as the Cato Institute. Through its policy papers, seminars and publishing activities, the Institute aims to offer a fruitful contribution to the Italian and European political debate. In particular, IBL is dedicated to promoting the principles of individual freedom, limited government and free markets and its philosophy is based on Bruno Leoni’s thoughts and ideas.

In its latest 2016 "Global Go To Think Tank Index Report" [2] the University of Pennsylvania ranked IBL as the 113th most influential think-tank in the world, out of more than 6,600 institutes. On a European and global level, IBL is part of a broader international network of research centres informed by the same free-market approach: it joins the efforts of the Atlas Network and is a founding member of EPICENTER. [3]

Several EPICENTER partners such as the Institute of Economic Affairs [4] and the Lithuanian Free Market Institute [5] are funded by the Tobacco Industry and the IBL is identified as a "Partner" on the website of the transnational tobacco company British American Tobacco Italy. [6]

Annual Index of Liberalizations

IBL publishes an annual Index that aims to shed light on the degree of openness of the 28 Member States by examining ten different economic sectors, which include petrol and diesel retail, electricity, natural gas, labour markets, postal services, telecommunications, broadcasting, air transport, rail transport and insurance. [7] Media and academicians cite the annual index as a source of information for policy-making and research. [8] [9] [10] [11]

First published in 2007, the IBL Index of Liberalizations has greatly evolved over the years. Between 2007 and 2012, Italy was the only country investigated and analyzed against sectoral benchmarks. In 2013, the index methodology was amplified to the EU15, whilst in 2015 the Index began classifying all of the EU28. [12]

Flat-tax project – VentiCinque% per tutti (TwentyFive% for all)

On 26 June 2017, IBL launched a new policy proposal called “Venticinque% per tutti” (Twenty-Five% for all). [13] [14] This ambitious proposal focuses on Italy’s complex tax system. In particular, the Institute suggests a radical fiscal restructuring: a flat, 25% tax rate on the major taxes in Italy’s system (personal income tax, corporation tax, VAT, tax on financial dividends); the repeal of local and regional taxes; and the replacement of the current patchwork of benefits with a universal cash subsidy – a so-called “basic income” subject to several conditions. [15]

The proposal has aroused considerable interest and has been widely debated. [16] [17] [18] [19] Several important politicians, such as Italy’s former Prime Ministers Silvio Berlusconi, Romano Prodi [20] and Lamberto Dini [21] have expressed an interest for IBL’s flat tax reform. [22]

Bruno Leoni and Sergio Ricossa Lectures

Between 2008 and 2016, IBL organized a yearly “Discorso Bruno Leoni” (Bruno Leoni Lecture). [23] Since 2016, this lecture has become a biennial occurrence as in 2017 the so-called “Discorso Sergio Ricossa” replaced it. These two lectures are among the Institute’s flagship events, as they strive to bring the Italian public up-to-date with the most relevant international debates. The “Discorsi” is structured as an in-depth lecture by a distinguished scholar or author, in which a seminal topic is investigated from a free-market, individual liberty perspective.

Bruno Leoni Award

Since 2008, every year the Institute attributes a "Bruno Leoni Award" dedicated to the thinker whose teachings the Institute refers to, and awarded to distinguished personalities. The award is intended for eminent figures that, through a recently published book, or with the work of a lifetime, have helped to advance the ideas of individual freedom, free market and free competition. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roberto Baggio</span> Italian former footballer (born 1967)

Roberto Baggio is an Italian former professional footballer who mainly played as a second striker, or as an attacking midfielder, although he was capable of playing in several offensive positions. He is the former president of the technical sector of the Italian Football Federation. A technically gifted creative playmaker and set piece specialist, renowned for his curling free-kicks, dribbling skills, and goalscoring, Baggio is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Union of the Centre (2002)</span> Italian political party

The Union of the Centre, whose complete name is "Union of Christian and Centre Democrats", is a Christian-democratic political party in Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Force (Italy)</span> Political party in Italy

New Force is an Italian neo-fascist political party. It was founded by Roberto Fiore and Massimo Morsello. The party is a member of the Alliance for Peace and Freedom and was a part of the Social Alternative from 2003 to 2006. The party has often been strongly criticized for its radical positions and for acts of violence involving some militants. It was also the protagonist of political campaigns opposed to same-sex marriage and immigration to Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruno Leoni</span> Italian philosopher and lawyer (1913–1967)

Bruno Leoni was an Italian classical-liberal political philosopher and lawyer. Whilst the war kept Leoni away from teaching, in 1945 he became Full professor of Philosophy of Law. Leoni was also appointed Dean of the Department of Political Sciences at the University of Pavia from 1948 to 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luca Marchegiani</span> Italian footballer

Luca Marchegiani is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The People of Freedom</span> Italian centre-right political party

The People of Freedom was a centre-right political party in Italy. The PdL launched by Silvio Berlusconi as an electoral list, including Forza Italia and National Alliance, on 27 February for the 2008 Italian general election. The list was later transformed into a party during a party congress on 27–29 March 2009. The party's leading members included Angelino Alfano, Renato Schifani, Renato Brunetta, Roberto Formigoni, Maurizio Sacconi, Maurizio Gasparri, Mariastella Gelmini, Antonio Martino, Giancarlo Galan, Maurizio Lupi, Gaetano Quagliariello, Daniela Santanchè, Sandro Bondi, and Raffaele Fitto.

Social Right was the main national- and social-conservative faction within National Alliance, a political party in Italy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Future Italy</span>

Future Italy was an Italian liberal-centrist think tank, formed in 2009 by Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, chairman of Alitalia and former chairman of Ferrari (1991–2014), FIAT (2004–2010) and Confindustria (2004–2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renziani</span> Political party in Italy

The Renziani was a liberal area within the Democratic Party (PD) composed of the followers of Matteo Renzi, party's former national secretary and former Prime Minister of Italy from February 2014 to December 2016. This area also took the name of Now! (Adesso!) and Big Bang. In September 2019, Renzi founded his own movement, Italia Viva (IV), exiting from the PD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlo Lottieri</span> Italian political philosopher (born 1960)

Carlo Lottieri is Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Verona. Born in Brescia, he holds a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Genoa, a M.A. from the Institut Universitaire d’Etudes Européens, a M.A. and a Ph.D. from the Paris-Sorbonne University. His research interests cover philosophy of law, federalism, American-style libertarianism, political theology, religion and public life, military ethics, elitism, evolutionary theory of law, commons and private property, and the modern state. He edited many works by Bruno Leoni in English, French, Italian, Spanish, and Czech. He is Professor of Philosophy of Law at the University of Verona, and Professor of Philosophy of Law and Philosophy of Social Sciences at Facoltà di Teologia di Lugano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democratic Centre (Italy)</span> Political party in Italy

Democratic Centre is a centrist, Christian leftist and social-liberal political party in Italy. Most of its members, including its leader Bruno Tabacci, are former Christian Democrats. Since its beginnings, the CD has been also part of the centre-left coalition, centred around the Democratic Party (PD).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civic Choice</span> Political party in Italy

Civic Choice was a centrist and liberal political party in Italy founded by Mario Monti. The party was formed in the run-up of the 2013 general election to support the outgoing Prime Minister Monti and continue his political agenda. In the election SC was part of a centrist coalition named With Monti for Italy, along with Union of the Centre of Pier Ferdinando Casini and Future and Freedom of Gianfranco Fini.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tosi List for Veneto</span> Political party in Italy

The Tosi List for Veneto was a centrist and regionalist political party in Veneto, Italy, named after its leader Flavio Tosi. The party emerged in March 2015 as a split from Liga Veneta–Lega Nord. Its members were instrumental in the establishment of Act! at the Italian level in July 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conservatives and Reformists (Italy)</span> Political party in Italy

The Conservatives and Reformists was a broadly conservative and, to some extent, Christian-democratic and liberal political party in Italy, led by Raffaele Fitto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Act! (Italy)</span> Italian political party

Act! was a centre-right liberal political party in Italy, based in Veneto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leo XIII Institute, Milan</span> School in Milan, Italy

Leone XIII Institute, Milan, is a private Catholic primary, secondary, grammar, sport and science, and science high school, located in Milan, Italy. The school was founded by the Jesuits in 1893.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Popular Alternative</span> Political party in Italy

Popular Alternative is a Christian-democratic political party in Italy that was founded on 18 March 2017 after the dissolution of New Centre-Right (NCD), one of the two parties that emerged at the break-up of The People of Freedom. "Popular" is a reference to popolarismo, the Italian variety of Christian democracy. The party has been a member of the European People's Party (EPP) since its foundation, having inherited the membership of the NCD.

More Europe is a liberal and pro-European political party in Italy, part of the centre-left coalition and member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valeria Fedeli</span> Italian politician (born 1949)

Valeria Fedeli is an Italian politician, former Minister of Education, Universities and Research in the Gentiloni Cabinet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vincenzo Amendola</span> Italian politician (born 1973)

Vincenzo "Enzo" Amendola is an Italian politician of the Democratic Party (PD). On 5 September 2019, Amendola was appointed Minister for European Affairs in the Conte II Cabinet.

References

  1. ↑ "Chi Siamo". Istituto Bruno Leoni (in Italian). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  2. ↑ McGann, G. James (2017). "2016 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report". TTCSP Global Go to Think Tank Index Reports. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  3. ↑ "About". EPICENTER. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "BAT letter to ASH" (PDF).
  5. ↑ "Lithuanian Free Market Institute - Think tank network initiative". www.thinktanknetworkresearch.net. Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  6. ↑ Italia, British American Tobacco. "British American Tobacco Italia - Partners". www.batitalia.com (in Italian). Retrieved 2017-04-07.
  7. ↑ "2017 Index of Liberalisations: a summary". EPICENTER. 4 December 2017. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  8. ↑ Benvenuto, Roberta; Bracconi, Marco. "L'Italia delle liberalizzazioni mancate". Inchieste - la Repubblica (in Italian). La Repubblica.
  9. ↑ Puato, Alessandra. "Mercato, l'Italia si apre (poco) E anche la Spagna ci sorpassa". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Corriere della Sera.
  10. ↑ "Is the European Union a Friend or Foe of Economic Freedom?". Cato Institute. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  11. ↑ Puato, Alessandra. "Liberalizzazioni, Italia batte Francia e Germania (ma la strada è lunga) Schede". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Indice delle Liberalizzazioni". Istituto Bruno Leoni (in Italian). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  13. ↑ "Venticinque% per tutti". Istituto Bruno Leoni (in Italian). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  14. ↑ Rossi, Nicola. "Una "flat tax" al 25%, via Irap-Imu: fisco più semplice e più equo". Il Sole 24 ORE (in Italian). Il Sole 24 Ore.
  15. ↑ Mingardi, Alberto. "Flat Tax For Italy?". Istituto Bruno Leoni (in Italian). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  16. ↑ "Flat tax". Il Sole 24 ORE (in Italian). Il Sole 24 Ore. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  17. ↑ Capone, Luciano. "Flat tax di populismo o di governo? Forza Italia e Lega davanti al bivio". Il Foglio. Il Foglio. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  18. ↑ Seminerio, Mario (18 July 2017). "Cosa non mi convince della Flat tax - Formiche.net". Formiche.net (in Italian). Formiche. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  19. ↑ Summo, Gianfranco. "Rossi: "Una flat tax al 25% per salvare il Paese dal fisco"". La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno. La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  20. ↑ Prodi, Romano. "La tassa unica spartiacque della prossima sfida elettorale". Il Messaggero (in Italian). Il Messaggero. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  21. ↑ Lamberto, Dini; Natale, D'Amico. "Flat tax e minimo vitale aiutano crescita ed equità". Istituto Bruno Leoni (in Italian). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  22. ↑ Di Foggia, Carlo. "Flat tax, come funziona la ricetta di politica economica che unisce Forza Italia e Lega - Il Fatto Quotidiano". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). Il Fatto Quotidiano. Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  23. ↑ "Discorso Bruno Leoni". Istituto Bruno Leoni (in Italian). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  24. ↑ "Premio Bruno Leoni". Istituto Bruno Leoni (in Italian). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.