Naples In The Global Age. Antiquity. Transformation And Reconciliation

Naples in the Global Age is a penetrating look into traditional and contemporary Neapolitan society; an amalgam of 2000 years of foreign domination shaped by extreme geographical and historical circumstances that have resulted in an intriguing mix of modernity and backwardness as evidenced in its pre-industrial city structure, stagnant economy and intricate and delicately balanced tribal-like networks of extended families and insular, localized communities which have served as survival mechanisms for centuries. It is a city steeped in contrasts and contradictions that, notwithstanding large class divisions, economic instability, pervasive corruption, the Camorra and a weak civil society, has managed to hold onto its highly unique character and rich creative culture which have proven over time to be the basis for a surprisingly stable society. With the advent of globalization, the feisty and sensual Neapolitans are being propelled into the future and clashing up against economic fundamentalism and political reforms more appropriately designed for post-industrial societies. In this work the reader is brought up-to-date on this fascinating city caught up in a social, political and economic time-warp as it carries the weight of historical problems and confronts new ones brought about by the 21st century challenges of globalization. Juliet Ippolito is an American living in Naples for the past 13 years. She is an English language lecturer at the University of Naples L’Orientale.