giovedì 27 gennaio 2011

Decadence and Democracy in Italy

Silvio Berlusconi

Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

The New York Times

Updated January 26, 2011

Introduction

Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's career and personal life have caused outrage for as long as he's been in the public eye. In the latest scandal, wiretapped phone conversations suggest that Mr. Berlusconi has beeninvolved with Karima el-Mahroug, a nightclub dancer, since she was a minor. Aninvestigation has been opened into allegations that Mr. Berlusconi paid Ms. Mahroug and other women for sex.

However, less than 50 percent of Italians are asking for his resignation according to a recent poll. His political future seems, at least for the time being, secure.

Why have Italians -- especially the women -- tolerated Mr. Berlusconi's antics for so long? Is there a tipping point for Italians?

Read the Discussion »

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/01/26/decadence-and-democracy-in-italy


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