December 8, 2001

11:38 PM

Italy privatizes its culture.At least that's what will happen when a bill turning management of all of its museums sails through the Parliament this week. Critics of the Berlesconi-driven measure say that trying to turn culture into a profit center is foolish as there are only a few attractions that make any money now.
posted by MAYORBOB (4 comments total)

Can't reach the International Herald Tribune? There is a story in today's New York Times. "The possibility that ticket prices could soar under a free-market system, [the minister of culture, Giuliano Urbani] said, would be checked by international criticism." Hmmm....I prefer Britain's new free admission policy.
posted by Carol Anne at 9:20 AM on December 9, 2001

Thanks for the link, Carol Anne. Either they are having server problems or it's just busy (probably server).
posted by MAYORBOB at 9:56 AM on December 9, 2001

Most of American culture is privatized. Movies, music, concerts, sports, amusement parks. Most of those industries are successful at employing thousands of "artists" and entertaining millions of citizens. Public useums are not nearly as successful at satisfying demand or creating economic wealth.
posted by hitsman at 11:26 AM on December 9, 2001

check
posted by crawdad at 1:34 PM on January 18, 2002