Italian Debate and Dialogue on Thorstein Veblen.

In the first quarter of the 20th century, Thorstein Veblen ranked with John Dewey, George H. Mead, and Charles Sanders Peirce among the topmost American original and creative thinkers. In Italy he was the subject of much debate and dialogue but the perception of his scholarly work evolved through several phases. He was seen first as a forerunner of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal. Then as a leading figure in institutional economics. Finally as a social scientist pioneering in the interdisciplinary approach to analysis and to the formulation of public policy, as well as an early Futurologist. But his considerable influence in America contrasts with his lack of influence in Italy, probably because cultural differences hamper understanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]