Scholars down the ages have defined it in many ways and in various fields of study. The main thing for us as Italians nowadays is that development has to be focused on firms and their ability to innovate and grow. It is firms that  1  My thanks go to Francesco Franceschi, Francesco Manaresi and Francesco Palazzo for helping me write this speech.
Any remaining errors are my sole responsibility. 2  For a brief history of Italy’s economy starting from that year, see Rossi, S., La politica economica italiana 1968-2007, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2007. 3  must use Italy’s resources and talent in order to succeed, and in doing so, to increase well-being for everyone.