About Geoff Andrews

Geoff Andrews is a writer and academic. He is a leading authority on Italian politics and a regular media commentator on Italian current affairs. His book Not a Normal Country: Italy After Berlusconi has recently been translated into Italian as Un Paese Anormale. His latest book is The Slow Food Story: Politics and Pleasure which has been published both in the UK and North America. In 1995 he founded Philosophy Football FC, an alternative football team committed to celebrating the simple pleasures of the beautiful game, which continues to play weekly matches in London and organises a range of cultural events.
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Latest articles

Silvio Berlusconi: Culture Bites Politics

Open Democracy 8 June 2010 It has been clear for a long time that Silvio Berlusconi is a leader very far from the classic professional politician of the western liberal-democratic mould. Rather, Italy’s premier is a postmodern populist who employs a highly personalised style of leadership in which television plays a central part. His rule during ... Read More

Italy Locked in an Impasse

Geoff Andrews, Financial Times 5 April Last week’s regional elections in Italy provided an opportunity for a change of direction that could lead to a new season of reform. The elections followed months of uncertainty, with Silvio Berlusconi’s troubles escalating with almost daily allegations about Mafia association, sex scandals, media interfer ... Read More

The Slow Food Diary

Slow Food Story Comes to Washington

Geoff Andrews will be talking about the Slow Food Story in Washington DC at the end of August. More details to follow ... Read More

Salina Isola Slow: A Model of Slow Living

At the end of May into the beginning of June I attended Salina Isola Slow, the annual event organised by Slow Food Valdemone and held on the beautiful Aeolian island of Salina, made famous by Michael Radford’s film Il Postino. I was there to give a presentation of the Italian edition of the Slow Food Story. The night before, in Messina, I had giv ... Read More

Philosophy Football

Without Video Technology the Beautiful Game Will Become the Stupid Game

This World Cup has demonstrated the need for video technology to ensure justice takes place on the pitch. But how to persuade the suits at FIFA to make the wise move already taken by sports like tennis and cricket?I think there is only one thing for it. Referees, the arbiters of fair play, will now have to take what amounts to civil disobedience. W ... Read More

England Needs a Football Philosophy

Yesterday's worst ever World Cup defeat against a young German side has prompted a familiar debate on the failings of the national team. Not enough 'passion' and the shortcomings of a foreign coach are put forward as explanations yet again while the underlying reasons are obscured. Chris Waddle was right: England need more ideas; on coaching, bring ... Read More