Has Italy always been falling apart?

Back in the early 1960’s, in Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, the world took note of the decadence of life in the Italian capital of Rome.  Inspired by two major political/sex scandals of the era, the film which would win the 1960 Palme d'or in Cannes, depicted a Rome that was ultra sophisticated, ultra modern, ultra decadent and ultra cool.

Fifty plus years later,  Rome is kind of  antidote to America.  There is less sexuality, less modernity, less sophistication and less decadence. 

However there is more chaos, corruption and insecurity.   How did a nation that was so desired for so long, come to its current fate? John Hooper tries to give us some answers in The Italians.

My conversation with John Hooper: