Again about Berlusconi

[fpb]

It says something about Italians' complete lack of self-confidence that the main news in the leading newspapers over the last few days is that the L'Aquila G8 meeting "went well". Even from those who consciously hoped it would fail and discredit Berlusconi, there is a kind of silent sigh of relief; and not coincidentally, Berlusconi Derangement Syndrome has fallen largely silent.

In fact, the summit went rather better than just "well". Some useful work, especially on the financial side, was done. But that is the least of it. By taking the world's leading politicians to a disaster area, rather than shutting them behind luxurious gated compounds, it gave a real sense of the stakes of politicians' work. Its efficient running left Italians with a sense that the issues of L'Aquila itself can be resolved; and last but not least, it allowed all the guests to do something that is second nature to them as professional politicians, and which yet they do too rarely together - meet the public, shake hands, listen to problems and promise help, be photographed with heroic firefighters and dignified victims. I am not being sarcastic; in itself, this pleasure in public contact is an innocent part of a politician's nature, and may from time to time be constructive and useful. It is at any rate something that is bred in them from the beginning of their careers, and that they nearly all enjoy doing. To move the summit from the island of La Maddalena to the L'Aquila disaster area was s stroke of showman genius on Berlusconi's part.

But the thing that most Italians are grateful for - and that is increasing the PM's stature among them - is simply this: "Thank God nothing went wrong". There is an expectation that, in international company, Italy will somehow manage to disgrace herself. Indeed, that is a good part of Berlusconi Derangement Syndrome: a widespread sense that the style, as much as the substance, of the man, reflects negatively on us. In a country where far bella figura, to look good in the eyes of others, is a desperate ambition, and conversely public ridicule is the universal nightmare; a country, too, that lives with the pressure of an overwhelming and ever-present past, to which the average Italian simply does not feel equal; the idea that Italy is represented in the world's eyes by a vulgarian of the deepest dye, whose fashion disasters are legend, whose frothy jocosities are of the kind that embarrass people at family reunions, whose attempts at literacy and culture are if anything even worse - the idea that Italy is represented in the world's eyes by Berlusconi is a genuine nightmare.

Therefore, when the vulgarian in question proves able to arrange an international meeting, in difficult circumstances and to a high standard, to the outspoken satisfaction of all his guests - the country rejoices. To an Englishman, such things may be routine and hardly to be noticed; to an Italian, they are at the heart of his conflicted and painful relationship with his country.

Comments

[sanscouronne.livejournal.com]

Coming from this side of the ocean, you needn't be concerned that Americans view Italy through Berlusconi, because most Americans are completely ignorant of him, much less of his reputation. Even if they did, we know well enough that our public servants do not represent us, so we would hardly be inclined to think of Berlusconi as a representative of the typical Italian.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

This was written to some extent with you in mind, as you are studying international politics. From the horse's mouth, so to speak. Berlusconi is a bit more of a problem in inter-European relationships, but what I was trying to explain is the specifically Italian viewpoint, based on that deep Italian lack of self-confidence, and even self-contempt. A common Italian discussion theme - and one that makes me want to take the speakers and shake them every time - is what Italy lacks or should do to be a "normal country". And incidentally, you may have missed one of the most extraordinary displays of Berlusconi Derangement Syndrome yet. Antonio di Pietro, leader of the second largest opposition party, Italia Dei Valory ("Ethical Italy"), has taken out a whole page ad on the New York Times denouncing a supposed lack of democracy in Italy. I regard this sort of behaviour with contempt, of course: the evidence for lack of democracy is that this man can indulge in the most unhinged anti-Berlusconi rhetoric as much at home as abroad; what he means by lack of democracy is that he loses elections.