In countries with a civil and democratic government a leader would not dare to use foreigners, immigrants or any other class as scapegoats. The free press, something that democratic countries have, would bury him within half a day. The indignation of his own voters would force him to resign almost immediately. But in dictatorships is normal to spread hatred and racism to distract the population. It's done and was done by all the dictators of the world.
That Italy belongs to the second and not to the first category is obvious just looking at the behavior of Berlusconi. A leader of government that links immigrants to criminals, a shameful and dangerous lie. Even if it was true and it's not, of course, a responsible leader should never say something like that, because his job is to maintain peace and order in the country, not to foment hatred against a part of the inhabitants. But Berlusconi is everything but a leader.
At this time, after a long series of scandals, is preparing to devastate italian justice to escape his personal legal slopes. Unemployment meanwhile has reached again the record of his previous government, the economy always goes wrong and his electoral promises have proved to be the usual lies, since the only thing he cares about is to save himself from the accusation of which he should respond in court. So the time is right to stir up hatred against immigrants, a technique widely used for years by the League, Forza Italia and until recently also by AN to collect votes. Basically it worked to win several elections, even if nothing abou it is true. In addition for the League racism is never enough and Berlusconi need their support to carry out the laws that will save him from justice.
Berlusconi is only a little dictator, whose rise would have been very resistible in a country with a slighty better political class and more civic pride. A little dictator without cause and without ideas, apart from the use of public power for his private purposes. But able to control information and to survive in any scandal, and then potentially able to remain in power until the natural end of his life, which is the aspiration of every dictator.
History is a teacher, if anyone cares to learn something from it in this country, and we know that dictatorships never end well and do not bring anything good. This is true even for our little dictator, who over the years has got several results, but they have nothing to do with his never fulfilled promises to modernize the economy, streamline the bureaucracy, create millions of jobs and ensure security.
The Italian economy is increasingly lagging behind that of other advanced countries, burdened with political patronage, cronysm and various mafia infiltration. Politics has become entertainment only, populism and proclamations, with ample space for the corrupt and dishonest. Corruption, the racism, the collusion with the Mafia and the use of women's bodies as commodities are now part of official government policy, and therefore no longer a shame. The judiciary and the police, without funds and resources, can no longer provide neither security nor justice. The devastation of the country, from environment to schools, can proceed with impunity.
A little dictator who ultimately cares only about his small private interests, but who was left free to do great damage.
Francesco Defferrari
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Comments