The book’s table of contents indicates the following chapters:
• Chapter I: Common Sense
• Chapter II: Environmentalism
• Chapter III: Energy
• Chapter IV: The Multicultural and Multiethnic Society
• Chapter V: Security and Legitimate Defense
• Chapter VI: The Home
• Chapter VII: The Family
• Chapter VIII: The Homeland
• Chapter IX: The LGBTQ+++ Planet
• Chapter X: Taxes
• Chapter XI: The New City
• Chapter XII: Animalism

TheAuthor: Roberto Vannacci
Publication Year: 2023
Core Thesis: The book presents a critique of contemporary Western society, arguing that it operates on an inverted logic (“Il Mondo al Contrario” – The World Upside Down) where common sense, traditional values, and established norms are undermined by progressive ideologies, political correctness, and the demands of vocal minorities. Vannacci, drawing on his extensive military experience in “recondite and unknown, poor, abandoned, degraded and often dangerous, but real” parts of the world, offers a stark contrast between what he perceives as the “true” world and the distorted reality of the “Occident.”

Key Themes and Arguments:

1. Erosion of Common Sense and Objective Reality:

Vannacci argues that modern society, influenced by Cartesian self-reference (“Cogito ergo sum”), has become excessively subjective, prioritizing individual perceptions over objective reality and shared values. This leads to absurdities where:

• Self-perception supersedes biological fact: “it doesn’t matter if I am a bearded, muscular, olive-skinned man, but if I perceive myself as a blonde, slender woman in need of protection, everyone must portray me in that way and, first and foremost, my identity documents!”
• Conspiracy theories gain traction: Beliefs such as a flat Earth, staged moon landings, microchipped vaccines, and the non-existence of COVID-19 are presented as symptoms of this rejection of established facts.
• Justice becomes relative: Squatters are granted rights over legitimate owners, and civil disobedience, even when causing public disruption and damage, is defended as dissent, often at the expense of others’ freedoms.

2. Critique of Ideological Environmentalism:

Vannacci distinguishes between “true” pragmatic environmentalism focused on human well-being and what he calls “ideological environmentalism,” which he views as a dogmatic, ascetic, and often hypocritical movement.

• Anthropocentric view of nature: “It is humankind that must find a way to continue to live in symbiosis with the environment around it, exploiting all available resources to continuously increase its well-being over time.” Nature is not an isolated system to be preserved “regardless,” as this would mean abandoning progress (e.g., fighting smallpox, irrigation, urban settlements).
• Climate change skepticism/pragmatism: While acknowledging human impact, Vannacci stresses that “Climate has always changed, since the origin of the Earth, and all living beings have adapted to these changes or have become extinct.” He criticizes apocalyptic narratives as financially motivated fear-mongering: “I, who am a bit malicious, believe that this obsessive mania of terrorizing us with apocalyptic prospects has other ends, always connected to vile money.”
• Economic implications of “green” policies: He argues that European green policies are self-defeating, leading to deindustrialization and reliance on countries with higher pollution standards: “the green measures of the European Union have strongly contributed to transforming the Old Continent from a net producer to a net consumer of goods, destroying our productive capacity.”
• Support for nuclear energy and GMOs: Vannacci advocates for nuclear power as a safe and reliable energy source, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for their potential to address food security challenges. He criticizes opposition to these technologies as irrational and driven by demagoguery, leading to Europe’s increased dependence on food imports and a return to more polluting energy sources like coal.
• Hypocrisy of environmental demands: He points out that while Italians express climate concerns in surveys, they refuse to give up cars, heating, internet, or air travel, or pay significantly higher prices for these conveniences. He contrasts the “eco-anxiety” of some with real-world dangers (e.g., crime, war, natural disasters).

3. Defense of National Sovereignty and Traditional Identity:

Vannacci is a strong proponent of the nation-state, national identity, and traditional values, opposing multiculturalism, globalism, and any perceived dilution of Italian culture.

• Importance of “Patria” (Homeland): He defines “Patria” as a multifaceted concept encompassing “land, tradition, memory, and sense of belonging to a community and a nation.” He views the concept of “citizen of the world” as inappropriate and non-existent, highlighting that wealth and well-being differ greatly between nations.
• Critique of open borders and “ius soli”: He opposes policies that would weaken national borders and citizenship criteria based on birth on national soil (“ius soli”), arguing that citizenship should be a concession with clear requirements (language, history, constitution).
• Protection of cultural heritage: Vannacci asserts the right and duty of every population to protect its origins and traditions from “derives and tangents that would denature them.” He argues that integration for immigrants means adapting to the host country’s culture, not the other way around: “The foreigner who does not integrate into the fabric of the land that welcomes him is no longer an immigrant but becomes an invader.”
• Rejection of revisionist narratives: He criticizes attempts to “cancel the past” or “stupidly revise” historical narratives and fairy tales to be “inclusive” or “gender-neutral” as attempts to rewrite history and castrate language.

4. The “LGBTQ+++” “Planet” and Gender Ideology:

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to criticizing the LGBTQ+ movement and what Vannacci terms “gender ideology,” viewing it as a threat to normalcy and traditional family structures.

• Homosexuality as “eccentricity”: He states that homosexuality is a “preference” or “predilection” that shouldn’t be controversial but implies it is an “eccentricity” that should not be flaunted.
• Relativization of “normality”: He criticizes the LGBTQ+ community’s pursuit of “normality” for homosexuals, arguing that “normality” is defined by majority numbers and common custom. He sees efforts to include all identities under a single acronym (LGBTQ+++) as a denial of reality and a focus on negation (rejection of heterosexuality).
• Rejection of gender fluidity and “schwa”: He vehemently opposes the concept of gender fluidity and the use of gender-neutral language (e.g., schwa, asterisks), considering it a “castration” and “deturpation” of the Italian language and an attempt to “destroy every rule and relativize any fact, event, and circumstance to demonstrate that models do not exist.”
• Defense of the “natural family”: Vannacci argues that the “natural family” (composed of a biological mother and father) is a “winning model” provided by nature, and that the concept of a “right to parenthood” does not exist in nature. He states that children “biologically need a father and a mother.”
• Critique of “career alias” in schools: He ridicules the concept of “career alias” (chosen name for gender identity in schools) as diseducative and superficial, allowing students to choose a sex “like choosing a pair of pants or a t-shirt,” without proper medical or psychological evaluation.
• Opposition to “hate crime” legislation: He argues against laws that assign harsher penalties for crimes based on the victim’s sexual orientation, race, or gender, asserting that all individuals should be equally protected by law and that “ideas, opinions, thoughts, convictions… are defeated on the plane of argumentation and not in courtrooms.”

5. Public Safety and Self-Defense:

Vannacci expresses deep concern about declining public safety and a justice system that, in his view, prioritizes criminals over victims and legitimate citizens.

• Critique of judicial leniency: He describes a “World Upside Down” where “the privacy of thieves is the new frontier of political correctness,” and minor offenses like shoplifting are often dismissed as “too minor.” He cites San Francisco as an example of a city where progressive judicial policies have led to widespread crime and a decline in quality of life.
• Support for legitimate self-defense: He argues that citizens should have the right to defend themselves, their families, and their property, especially when the state fails to prevent crime. He contends that self-defense should “always be considered legitimate,” as the aggressor always has the advantage.
• Broadening self-defense parameters: He calls for extending the presumption of proportionality in self-defense, currently applicable to home invasions, to other public spaces.
• Ineffectiveness of current policies: He claims that policies like “citizen’s income” (welfare) are exploited by “scoundrels and fraudsters” and that effective crime reduction comes from visible law enforcement and strict penalties, not ideological approaches.

6. Taxation and Economic Policy:

Vannacci criticizes current tax policies, particularly those aimed at redistributing wealth, arguing they are counterproductive and stifle economic growth and meritocracy.

• Against “luxury taxes” and wealth redistribution: He argues that taxes on luxury goods (supercars, yachts) are “demagogic” and “counterproductive,” driving away wealth and hurting industries. He cites examples from Italy and France where such taxes failed to meet revenue targets and caused economic harm.
• Critique of inheritance tax: He highlights that inheritance tax often represents a “fifth taxation of the same asset,” discouraging work and savings.
• Promoting wealth creation over redistribution: He argues that “a State that merely redistributes wealth curbs development, discourages enterprise, frightens the bold, flattens society and crushes it while simultaneously incentivizing cosmic apathy.” Instead, the state should “create opportunities, combat illegality and delinquency, rapidly guarantee justice and the rule of law, favor free enterprise, incentivize the meritorious, spur the willing and emphasize the differences between those who commit themselves and those who tend to live off the work of others.”

7. Urban Planning and Waste Management:

Vannacci extends his critique to urban management, particularly “green” initiatives, which he sees as impractical and detrimental to ordinary citizens.

• Critique of restricted traffic zones (ZTLs): He argues against implementing large ZTLs in cities like Rome without first establishing an efficient public transport network, viewing it as a burden on middle and lower classes who rely on older vehicles.
• Ineffectiveness of waste management policies: He criticizes door-to-door waste collection and ecotaxes as inefficient and costly for citizens, while public decorum declines.

Author’s Stance and Tone:

Vannacci presents himself as a pragmatic, common-sense observer drawing on real-world experience, particularly from his military career. The tone is often confrontational, direct, and critical of what he perceives as progressive “dogmas” and “idiocies.” He frequently uses phrases like “Mondo al Contrario” (World Upside Down) and “ribaltatori della realtà” (reality subverters) to underscore his central argument. He positions his views as rooted in tangible reality, historical precedent, and natural laws, in contrast to what he sees as abstract, ideological, and harmful trends in Western society. He acknowledges the controversial nature of his opinions, particularly on LGBTQ+ issues, but asserts his right to express them.