The Oxford Languages dictionary defines revolution, which derives from the verb to overthrow, as an organized movement, inspired by ideological motivations and not necessarily, but often, violent with which the intention is to establish a new social or political order. Hence in the vulgar lexicon: make a revolution, suffocate a revolution, give content or ideals to a revolution. It's a short step if you think of the French Revolution or the October Revolution in Russia. But, generally speaking, no aspect of societies remains immune to the winds of change.

In the second half of the 1700s in England there was the industrial revolution, known as the first English Industrial Revolution. It was a process of radical economic evolution and industrialization of societies which transformed from agricultural-artisan-commercial into industrial systems characterized by the generalized use of machines driven by mechanical energy. By Scientific Revolution we mean, however, that phase of European history, between the mid-16th to the end of the 18th century, in which there was an extraordinary development in various fields of science, starting from the date of publication of the work of Nicolaus Copernicus , to continue with astronomy, medicine, mathematics and philosophy.

Technological innovation was the push for economic development and for profound socio-cultural and political changes. We are in the midst of change, in the digital revolution because we are abandoning mechanical and analogue technology and have entered the era of Artificial Intelligence. Nothing will be as before because every aspect of our societies, economic, productive, working, social, people's relationships will be reinvented, one could say revolutionized. Woe betide you if you don't adapt. And then not to forget the gentle revolution which apparently contradicts itself in terms in the sense that it is almost a call to be better. This revolution aims to increase awareness that the era we live in, full of uncertainties and fears, needs solidarity between generations and long term. Its strength lies in the use of kindness to bring attention to major issues of our present and future: climate change, forests, drought, biodiversity, the conservation of our planet's resources. Finding intergenerational bonds that are principles that can be shared beyond religious, moral and cultural beliefs and that create fertile ground for solidarity. But it is not a revolution that wants to change the social or political order. In the last 4 regional legislatures, politics has proposed to each legislature some themes for which it would have made radical, revolutionary choices regarding the birth rate decline, depopulation, school dropouts and healthcare. Only promises.

Healthcare is an example of this. Now our healthcare needs a real revolution. The entire ruling class must be questioned and must be selected on merit and not co-opted. Health objectives must be supported by the quality and cost standards valid for all local health authorities. Anyone who does not achieve these objectives cannot continue to manage healthcare. Covid has taught us nothing. Now the flu has arrived. The time for surgery is months. But if you call a hospital in northern Italy you will be operated on within a few days with only the cost of the plane ticket. What are we waiting for? Change doesn't have to face anyone. We must borrow Lenin's words. Change is crucial but the revolution is not a gala lunch.

Antonio Barracca

© Riproduzione riservata