Mattarella warns against "Caesarist tyranny" in international order

Italian President Sergio Mattarella warned against the risks of "Caesarist tyranny" in the contemporary international order during a lecture delivered in Florence on March 10.

Mattarella received an honorary master's degree in Politics, Institutions and Markets at the University of Florence, marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Cesare Alfieri School of Political Sciences. The ceremony took place at the Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.

In his address, the head of state referenced a passage from Silvano Tosi's preface to Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America." Tosi, a student of Alfieri who later taught at the school, highlighted what he described as Tocqueville's most troubling prophetic insight for the modern era: a future oscillating between democratic freedom and Caesarist tyranny. According to Tosi's reading of Tocqueville, modern despotism employs philanthropic appearances, fraudulently representative forms, and a paternalistic guardianship of the individual that perpetuates a state of dependence.

Mattarella addressed contemporary international challenges, specifically citing "the claim" of "protagonists on the international stage" to "act outside the rules of states and supranational institutions." He characterized this as a risk factor for regression toward Caesarist tyranny.

The president also recalled the guidance of Italy's constitutional founders regarding peace as "the objective of international relations." He called for placing human values at the center of international discourse.

Mattarella's remarks came amid what observers described as a chaotic international context, with Italy and the European Union appearing to follow the course of events in a scenario involving global conflict. The president's lecture was met with prolonged applause upon his arrival at the theater.