WBEZ commentator Ron Litke argues that the time has come to replace Niccolò Machiavelli as a symbol of “realpolitik” with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
It’s time to drop the term “Machiavellian” from our political discourse. For nearly 500 years the writings of Niccolo Machiavelli, the late fifteenth-century Italian politician and philosopher, have been useful to describe how power characteristically defines political activity and institutions, good and bad; but he has been clearly superceded by another Italian who has brought a new standard of wickedness to politics by eliminating the line between legitimate and illegitimate uses of power… as if it never existed in the first place.
You may say that both Mayor Daleys arrogated a lot of power to themselves -- but they are, in a historical context, small-time operators. Now when we talk about the exercise of absolute power we must say “Berlusconian.” I agree it’s not as mellifluous as saying “Machiavellian,” but Silvio Berlusconi, the prime minister of Italy, deserves the respect.
Here’s why: Earlier this month, it took Italy’s highest court to overturn a law granting Berlusconi immunity from prosecution as long as he is the prime minister. This seemed like a reasonable law for a man who considers himself "absolutely the most persecuted by the judiciary in all of the history of the entire world.”
Fortunately, the Italian Parliament, which is, amazingly, even more submissive than our Chicago City Council, agreed to this legislation right after Berlusconi was elected to his third term last year. I’m surprised no one has ever proposed this law in Chicago.
This legislation showed Berlusconi to be prescient and completely self-aware: He has been on trial at least six times for a variety of corruption charges. He never admits guilt, and, so far, has always been cleared.
The immunity law was on the books throughout 2008 while Berlusconi was having a banner time: his wife went public with the desire for a divorce after accusing him of philandering with young women, in particular an aspiring model whose 18th birthday party Berlusconi attended. For the young lady’s part, she has said she calls him “Daddy.”
If that wasn’t enough, it was reported that Berlusconi invited this young girl and about 40 others, some like her younger than 18 at the time, to spend New Year’s Eve at one of his villas. A good politician knows how to appeal to all audiences, and Berlusconi was just laying the groundwork for the next election, so to speak.
Berlusconi is estimated to be the third richest person in Italy. He owns nearly half of Italy’s media, not to mention advertising, banking, and insurance companies, and the renowned A.C. Milan soccer club, which has had its own share of scandals.
And Berlusconi is now suing one of the few Italian media companies he doesn’t own. La Repubblica, which in May printed ten questions concerning his conduct, prompted the suit; Berlusconi’s lawyer says the prime minister is being defamed. La Repubblica has in turn promoted a petition to protest the suit. Several foreign journalists have signed it but no Italians as yet.
The Italian high court’s decision revoking his immunity now allows three other pending cases to go forward. In one, a British lawyer has already been convicted of accepting $600,000 to give false testimony to shield Berlusconi in two corruption trials. In another, the prime minister is accused of tax fraud in connection with the expansion of his media empire. He is even accused of trying to bribe members of Parliament to join his ruling coalition.
And in a contemporary technique designed to consign Machiavelli to ancient history, Berlusconi’s Italian TV channel 5 aired sneaky footage of a judge -- who ruled against Berlusconi in a bribery case to the tune of 750 million Euros -- taking a walk, smoking, and getting a shave at a barber shop. Perhaps most outrageous, the judge was also filmed sitting on a park bench wearing turquoise socks. These were activities the narrator of the supposed “news” piece showed the judge to be “eccentric,” and his socks to be “strange.” Now that is cunning media manipulation.
But in the meantime, when you’re at the next cocktail party, and you’re thinking of talking about Machiavelli, go with “Berlusconian.” He’ll be glad you did.
For WBEZ’s Worldview, I’m Ron Litke
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