ABSTRACT
One always senses here the fundamental split between state and culture, and Italian culture today is both accuser and accused. Over eighty college professors are active in the political life of Italy, in both Parliament and the Senate. University degrees have become increasingly devalued and ready teachers of repute argue that the old "laurea" should be abolished. Nepotism and good connections rather than ability govern appointments to professorships, like much else in Italy. Research receives less support from the state or the great industrial concerns than in any other modern country. In Strehler's view, like many of the others who were interviewed, the dramatic turning-point was the decision of Togliatti, the late Communist leader, to allow Politecnico, the popular cultural periodical run by ElioVittorini, to cease publication. The striking feature is the transition from pristine illiteracy to a neo-illiteracy consisting of fumetti readers and "goggle-box" addicts.
