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Archive » February 2026 » Culture and economy, intelligence and freedom

Culture and economy, intelligence and freedom

Ignazio Visco
February 2026 - n. 2
Keywords: Economia, cultura, conoscenza, innovazione
Jel codes: E20, G20, D80, O30

From the industrial revolution onwards, the culture of investment in knowledge has been affirmed: useful knowledge, which connects basic research and applied research and gives rise to technological innovations and improvements in the quality of human work. In market economies backed by proper rules, these are the crucial elements of economic growth over the past two centuries. Development seemed to have found a global dimension since the end of Cold War, in the context of broader international cooperation. Demographic change, growth and unprecedented technological progress prompted questions about how to balance opportunities and new risks, in the twin green and digital transitions, and deal with new trends such as Artificial intelligence. However, we must now ask ourselves how global issues can be addressed in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical context that is less cooperative and increasingly uncertain for economic freedom itself.

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