ECONOMY. ER. FABIO STORCHI LAUNCHES AN APPEAL: ‘NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO ANCHOR OURSELVES IN THE VALUES OF CIVIL ECONOMY’

(Ti Lancio dall’Emilia Romagna) Reggio Emilia 24 marzo 2025 – Fabio Storchi, president of Ucid Reggio Emilia, “Cavaliere del Lavoro” and former president of Federmeccanica from 2013 to 2017: ‘In this historical moment we urgently need to apply what civil economy teaches us.’  
The appeal starts with a critical analysis of current economic policies, particularly those promoted by Donald Trump’s U.S. presidency, which risk triggering a dangerous trade war.
“The tariffs announced and partly implemented by the U.S. presidency, and the resulting trade war, will not lead to anything good,” Storchi says.
“If the economic and technological success of the United States has grown thanks to a culture of merit, the exacerbation of this vision risks destroying the foundations of a fair system,” he confirms.
Storchi, a profound connoisseur of the American marketplace, denounces the risks of a model that seems to favor the law of the strongest at the expense of principles of fairness and cooperation. In an increasingly divided world, Storchi proposes a concrete alternative: the civil economy, a model rooted in the Italian humanistic tradition that places the human person, with his dignity and rights, at the center.
The civil economy, according to Storchi, is not a utopia but a concrete reality that many companies are already successfully experimenting with. In a competitive environment marked by global challenges and economic turmoil, this model offers an alternative to the logic of “all against all,” promoting collaboration, responsibility and sustainable development.
Businesses that adopt the principles of the civil economy see their employees not as mere performers, but as key resources for long-term success. Respect for human dignity, the promotion of solidarity and the creation of a healthy and just work environment result in a competitive advantage, both morally and economically.
“The active involvement of employees, the recognition of their value as people, leads to improved quality of work, increased productivity and greater innovation,” Storchi explains. “Motivated people, who feel respected and an integral part of the corporate mission, are able to respond more nimbly and creatively to the challenges of global competition.”
Storchi appeals to the humanism that permeates European culture, calling for building a responsible, inclusive and sustainable marketplace. His vision is rooted in the Italian tradition of civic humanism, which as early as 1753, with Antonio Genovesi, introduced fundamental concepts such as the common good, reciprocity and social justice.
“The civil economy is not just a theoretical proposal, but a model that has already taken hold in many business realities,” Storchi concludes.
“The real strength of an enterprise lies not in the imposition of the strongest, but in the recognition of and respect for human dignity, solidarity and social justice. These values are not incompatible with economic success; on the contrary, they are the key to building a more equitable and prosperous future for all.”
(Dispaccio di Ti Lancio della redazione di Resia)