On March 8th 2008, the President of the Italian Republic awarded
Professor Nadia Urbinati the Order of Merit known as
Commendatore dellaRepubblica (Commander of the Italian Republic). The Order of Merit is awarded for contributions in the fields of literature and humanities, the economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities. In awarding the medal, the President cited Professor Urbinati "For her contribution to the study of democracy and the diffusion of Italian liberal and democratic thought abroad." This year, the award carries a special meaning because it coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Italian Democratic Constitution and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
