Reflections of a stormy petrel

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.