London, March 6, 2025 – During his visit to the British capital, Senator for life Mario Monti, together with his close friend, British journalist Martin Wolf, participated in a high-profile discussion hosted by the Italian Ambassador to London, Inigo Lambertini, at his residence. The conversation brought together two of the most brilliant and authoritative minds in the international economic landscape, providing an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between liberal democracy and Western capitalism, as well as the ties between the European Union and the United Kingdom—topics explored in Monti and Wolf’s latest books, Demagonia: Where the Politics of Illusions Leads and The Crisis of Democratic Capitalism, respectively.
During the discussion, Senator Monti analyzed the current geopolitical landscape, highlighting the ongoing restructuring of the global order. He emphasized how the redefinition of the United States’ role in Europe could create a power vacuum but also present opportunities. He further noted that, despite Brexit, the UK and the European Union share natural points of convergence on key issues. This has been particularly evident in recent months, which have seen a renewed closeness between London and Brussels.
Martin Wolf shed light on the complex relationship between democracy and capitalism, stressing how economic difficulties have influenced public perception of capitalism, while shifting political dynamics have affected attitudes toward institutions. His remarks underscored both the vulnerabilities of democratic capitalism and its essential role in fostering economic growth and civil liberties. According to Wolf, democracy and capitalism are deeply interconnected, each shaping and influencing the other.
The discussion sparked a lively debate among attendees, highlighting the relevance of the issues addressed and the widespread interest in further exploring the dynamics of today’s political and economic landscape.
About the Speakers:
Mario Monti is an Italian economist and politician. A Senator for life since 2011, he served as Prime Minister of Italy from 2011 to 2013. He was President of Bocconi University from 1994 to 2022 and previously held roles as European Commissioner for the Internal Market (1995-1999) and for Competition (1999-2004).
Martin Wolf CBE is a renowned British economic journalist and the chief economics commentator at the Financial Times. He contributes to leading international publications, including Le Monde, and has received numerous awards throughout his career, including the Ischia International Journalism Award and the Gerald Loeb Lifetime Achievement Award.
For further information: stampa.amblondra@esteri.it
