With graft in public life an almost accepted universal norm, the similarities between India and Italy are both striking and startling.
Indians returning from trips to Europe usually tend to grouse about the rude rigidity of the Germans, the haughty froideur of the French, the extreme parsimony of the Dutch or the racism of the Austrians.
Italy, however, brings forth altogether different reactions: “They are friendly, garrulous, welcoming, and it is the only place in Europe that vegetarians can get a decent meal. But they are also thieves and double dealers. Given half a chance they'll take the very shirt off your back and the shoes off your feet and you won't even know how it happened, a bit like with the Bambaiya pickpockets. But then, you also somehow feel you are on familiar ground.”
Most Indians say they feel at home in Italy: life is chaotic, no one obeys the rules, policemen can be paid to cancel fines, there is massive tax evasion, the mafia controls large swathes of territory, the government counts for little and for the well-heeled, life is very good indeed.
Hardly anyone, except for a few Christian charities and other NGOs, thinks of the poor. Public money hall-marked for disaster victims tends to disappear into the pockets of officials and cronyism is rampant; homes built for the poor are the first to collapse in southern Italy's earthquake-prone zones because of the poor quality of materials used ….
Sounds familiar? Well, with regard to the way politics is conducted, with corruption in public life an almost accepted universal norm, the continuing strength of family ties and how society is structured, the similarities between India and Italy are both striking and startling.
In India of course we do not have a jaded, ageing lothario like Silvio Berlusconi at the helm, whose Bunga Bunga nights — lavish parties where he surrounds himself with a bevy of often under-age nymphets — have brought Italy shame and universal opprobrium. Such behaviour would not be possible in India because of the prevailing notions of public (or for that matter) private morality. But like in Italy, hardly any politician caught for graft, blatant misuse of office, or, quite simply, theft from the public coffers has ever gone to prison.
The world might mock and the country's magistrates might well try to bring Mr. Berlusconi to book for paying under-age prostitutes, for abuse of political office (he ordered the police to free a 17-year-old Moroccan prostitute who called the Prime Minister on his private mobile number from the station where she was being held for shoplifting), or more seriously, for introducing legislation designed to protect him from the judiciary while increasing his own power and influence, but at least half the country's population continues to support him, admiring him for being a furbo, a clever clogs who has used every trick in the book to outwit the judiciary and get away with a host of alleged crimes and misdemeanours. These include fraud, tax evasion, bribing judges, consorting with the mafia, corruption, conflict of interest, impeding justice, undermining democratic institutions and exploiting them to serve his own vested interests … to name just a few. A recent poll showed that his popularity ratings continued to top 50 per cent and any Italian will tell you that Mr. Berlusconi has a strong chance of being re-elected should he stand for another term.
“In my view Italy is really a political infant, an underdeveloped polity, in a certain sense, a flash in the pan in the developed world. It is astounding, given the levels of corruption we have achieved that Italy continues to have the world's seventh-largest nominal GDP, (10th highest GDP in PPP terms) and the sixth highest government budget — hugely deficit-ridden of course. But this lack of balance between our economic prowess and the absence of political maturity is the result of history. You must not forget that Italy is a very young democracy — compared to other western powers and that the unification of Italy is barely 130 years old,” Clara Fiorini, a history professor from Milan who says she has compared the situations in India and Italy told The Hindu.
“Like India, Italy was forever being invaded by the outside world. Both our countries are insular peninsulas, protected in the north by the Himalayas in your case and by the Alps in ours. India was constantly taken over, first by the Aryans, followed by the Greeks, the Muslim rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals, the Portuguese, the British, the Dutch, the French … and the country was divided into several independent kingdoms or city states like Hyderabad, Mysore, Gwalior, etc. It was the same with us. We had very powerful city states like Venice, Florence, Genoa, Pisa or Amalfi. We were ruled by the Spanish Hapsburgs and also by the Austrians. Then came the Napoleonic wars from 1796 to 1814 when Napoleon destroyed several parts of Venice including the great Arsenale or shipbuilding docks and stole some of our best Renaissance art treasures. When you are ruled by foreign powers, the only persons you can trust are members of your own family or community. That is how Italy's nepotism began. In India of course appurtenance to caste and community have the same effect.
“Italian unification or Il Risorgimento began with Giuseppe Garibaldi in 1861 and continued until 1922. We have had three wars of independence in this struggle to unify Italy and that was finally achieved after the First World War came to an end. But then we launched into the Fascist period with Mussolini and the modern Italian Republic was born only in 1946, just one year before India became independent.
But if India benefitted, in the first years of its existence as a fledgling state from figures as towering as Nehru or Patel to seal the unity of India, the same cannot be said about Italy, where the Vatican and the influence of the Catholic Church remained very strong. Italian intellectuals like elsewhere, including France, were attracted by Marxist ideology, reviled by the Church. The Italian communist party under charismatic leaders like Enrico Berlinguer commanded as much as 25 per cent of the vote.
“It was to keep the communists out of power at all costs that the horrible power sharing formula known as the ‘partitocrazia' or the reign of the parties was born. For almost 40 years thereafter until the huge 1992 bribery scandal in Milan known as Tangentopoli (Bribe City) the Christian Democrats and the Socialists with two smaller parties, ruled with governments changing every other day. Corruption was rampant. People held their noses when they went to vote — so strong was the stench of corruption — but voted for the four-party combine nevertheless, in order to keep the communists out,” says Fiorini.
As a result of the Mani Puliti (Clean Hands) investigation that came in the wake of Tangentopoli, Socialist Prime Minister Bettino Craxi fled to Tunisia where he died in exile. Giulio Andreotti, seven times Prime Minister, was charged with corruption, murder and for his links to the mafia. He escaped jail because of the statute of limitations, a trick Mr. Berlusconi has used again and again, getting trials postponed, adjourned or delayed or by transferring judges.
If Italians had hoped for a fresh start, with what many called the Second Italian Republic, they were to be disappointed. The major parties, the Christian Democrats, the Communists and the Socialists dissolved to spring up as new political formations. Silvio Berlusconi entered the breach left by the dissolution of the Christian Democratic Party to form first his Forza Italia and then House of Freedom party. His natural allies came from the right — the deeply anti-immigrant and xenophobic Northern League and the newly re-baptised Allianza Nationale (Mussolini's original fascist formation) led by Gianfranco Fini. The Left, in what has turned out to be Italy's greatest tragedy, has broken up into several small, squabbling, fractious political formations, leaderless and with no clear programme to offer. It is not surprising, that Mr. Berlusconi, who comforts the country's right-wing elites and business communities, remains as popular as he is, despite his shenanigans.
But the magistrates, who, in Italy like in India, constitute the people's bulwark against open and shameless corruption, appear determined to get him. Magistrates said they could file charges against Mr. Berlusconi “as early as next week.” If convicted of buying the services of an under-age prostitute and abuse of power, Mr. Berlusconi could face a long jail term. But he is protected by an immunity law he himself passed and for the moment, remains beyond the judiciary's reach.
The noted writer of Italian origin Alexander Stille wrote in The New York Times recently: “In almost any other democracy, that would have been enough to end a politician's career. But Italians are deeply cynical about their political leaders. Believing that ‘everyone does it,' it is possible to convince yourself that the exposure of Berlusconi's crimes and misdemeanours is actually a sign that he is being singled out for persecution.”
This is a view, says Stille, which is reinforced by the substantial portion of the Italian media, which is controlled by Mr. Berlusconi. Even the media outlets he does not own outright are either intimidated or under his influence. Much of the evidence in the current scandal (as with those in the past) has not been aired on the principal newscast of the Italian State TV, which, together with Mr. Berlusconi's networks, enjoy a nearly 90 per cent market share in a country where 70 to 80 per cent of the public gets its news from television.”
Keywords: Italy corruption
I've lived and worked in the U.K, Austria, the U.S.A, India and here in Italy where I'm currently living. It hurts me to see different peoples whom I love from two beautiful countries , throwing mud at one another. It's time now for us to pull together and work out solutions for corruption amongst all the other human ills which plague this amazing planet.
A collegue of mine living in India sent me copy of this article. I'm an italian frequently visiting India since last six years for business. Glad to know that Indians feel at home when in Italy, that is why thousands have settled down here (my neighbour is from Punjab)and even more try to enter every day, mostly illegally, looking for a better opportunity in life, which they normally get. I don't think these Indians risk their life because food is good, there are no rules, and for all the nice things about us mentioned in the article. At first I found the article a bit offensive, but then I realized that the author may not be knowing us so well and wanted to just impress his Indian readers. Knowing both Italy and your country, let me tell you that India has still a long way to go. Come - with an open mind - and see for yourself.
Despite allegations of corruption, Silvio Berlusconi is surviving as the Italian President. I'm afraid that a similar situation will happen in India as well. The elections in 2011 for the Tamil Nadu assembly will demonstrate whether the corruption can move the electorate to vote the power out, in spite of all the freebies that the politicians dole out. For this question to be answered, there must be a free and transparent electoral process - which seems like a big ask in a state like Tamil Nadu.
Despite the maladministration and corruption in Italy, the country has grown economically because its people are enormously creative. Italians lead the world in design; not merely in clothes and accessories but in industrial products like cars, signages, household equipment and the like. They remain world leaders in the arts, be it painting, music, sculpture and architecture in general. Aesthetics and refinement are a second nature to Italians. Italian food is the second most favorite international food after Chinese ! All this has been possible because their people have shown tremendous enterprise in the face of State apathy and corruption. There is one area where the Italian system is far better than India's. Like France, Italy has a system of prosecuting magistrates who are independent of the Government are have the power to order police to investigate complaints of criminal activity. Even politicians and the wealthy are not spared by them. Berlusconi worries only about what these magistrates could do to him. Therefore he takes refuge behind subterfuge, like the statute of limitation, immunity from prosecution as Prime Minister and even trying to bribe/intimidate magistrates !!
I do not like Mr. B, yet I think this piece goes beyond every limit in terms of stereotypes and cliches... Has the author ever been to Italy?
I feel the author was overzealous in comparing Italy with our nation. Italian PM can not where be compared with our PM. Though we are mired with corruption and chalta hai attitude, atlease we have a PM who is light years ahead and better than the Italian PM. I feel proud that we have an intellect, an economist as well as technocrat PM who is working so hard to make this country better place to live (inspite of few corrupt cabinet ministers)!
A very poor comparison. What the author tried to compare here is only the negatives. Dirt, scum, high level corruption is prevalent in every country. But, comparing it to India is absolutely crazy. You cannot compare the corruption in this country to any other country in the world. Even to clear a dead body from morgue requires heavy greasing of palms!! Italy is a progressed country and their contribution to the world is still unmatched whether it is automobiles, engineering, architecture, food products or dairy products. What do we have which can mark the world? I request the author not to mislead Indians especially those who have not traveled outside India. Try to compare Apples to apples to make your article credible.
Is the comparison done between India and Italy because both start with 'I' and both have 5 letters in the country names. Being an Indian, this is an absolutely pathetic and immature comparison. Just WIKI Italy and see the economic facts and the luxury products churned out from their factories. Of course there is some level of corruption everywhere and there is always a general perception of injustice especially when your head of state indulges in flamboyant display of wealth and power. The writer should have done some economic comparisons rather than just choosing only what he feels is right to justify the article.
Whatever may be, the article is based on comparison among the developed countries in Europe.May be Italy is less civilised than rest of Europe but as we see the average standard of our society, existing poverty corruption and basic human rights violation Italy lies far above us. May be it feels bitter but this is reality as I too have moved all over Europe.
Excellent summary of the Italian history and current situation, where the (minority of) people is hostage of Berlusconi and his court.
All these days I was having some hope on Sonia Gandhi that she may bring some European touch to India for its peoples empowerment.I was also wondering how she could not influence even the least minimum things, sanitation and Quality roads. The otherday when I saw a BBC program in which Italy is filled with debris all around worst than India. It is a part of their itenary that our PM, Minsters and IAS men visit US, Europe, Singapore often but they never got influenced and their objective seems to be to keep India in eternal poverty.
It seems rather interesting the author has put on the such a positive spin on evils of Indian nation. Italians have enviable reputation in many fields like fashion, creative designs, world class tourism infrastruture and amazing food and beverage products. What does India have that is truly worldclass? Slums and more Slums? Millions in Poverty, non-exitant goverment sponsored public education system and gender divide. I am not mentioning great Italian Automobile companies. Comparable at the moment? No. I would be interested to know why the Author was allowed to print such meaningless and mindless article, and that too in TH, which seems as last quality paper in India.
As many others commented, I do not see the logic behind this comparison, except it makes an interesting reading at some levels. Italy is a developed economy with some gray spots, but it is not like ours where still millions struggle to have basic needs fulfilled or look forward to experience a sense of equality or dignity. There people have access to their share of natural resources and participate in building up of the nation through jobs or other opportunities to grow. Certainly, more than other western Europeans, Italians would like to talk of themselves as informal, family-centered, fun loving people with a great cuisine, but concretely they are serious about their affairs and do not compromise on fundamentals when it comes to the destiny of the nation or its culture or its future. For instance, there is no way you can compare our government funded education or health care services (may be with the exception of the high-end IITs and AIIMS) with theirs. I lived for two years in Italy and know from my experience and travels that there is a measure of overall development. You will never see the pockets of poverty that we encounter in Orissa or Bihar or have to walk miles to fetch potable water! Sure the mafia and the scams are there but not to the degree we have them which paralyze our people's lives, thought, ethic and imagination.
Negative comparison cannot heal the problem. Appropriate actions against corruption can treat the problem. Respecting the constitution by the leaders with true statesmanship and patriotism will help the nation to avoid corruption. Only a honest and true patriot should lead a nation so that the official who follow his foot steps will be a positive solution and so it reaches to ultimate people even who lives in the remote area of the country. It is tough, but can be done if it is all true.
Indo-Italian comparisons are indeed appropriate though the credit for these comparisons should really go to Marx (cf. Political Writings) who was the first to point out the similarities in geography between Italy and Hindustan and suggest that their socio-political fates may be similar as well.
This only proves again the importance of education. The people in Italy are literate but not educated. The corruption, as seen by most people, is not actually THE PROBLEM or the root of the problem but the outcome of THE PROBLEM - Lack of Education - the root of all other problems. The same applies to India too. Both India and Italy are required to reform their education system urgently and sincerely so as to impart education and not just literacy!!!
What a silly piece of news! Next the author will be comparing with Greece - mind you, like many Indians, many Greeks have the habit of talking about their glorious history, while both countries today have similar levels of corruption and both societies are marching downhill to be swallowed by their own sickening levels of politics, corruption, greed, thanks to the disgusting people in the three arms of "democracy" - legislature, executive and judiciary. And lest I forget, the concept of democracy has historical links to ancient Athens, while India can claim to be the largest democracy (yeah, go India...continue with the poor education policies which have historical links to the growing population)...See the similarity?
When can we look at ourselves in the mirror and set our own benchmarks that we make serious attempts to meet? I'm not talking about the 10% GDP growth...
This article spreads prejucice and misinformation about another country, and adds no value to solve our problems. It is amazing how we who live in India, try anything at all to take solace (or explain away) in the rut we are in.
The comparison is superficial, there are deep, very deep differences. India is secular, Italy is not, it is a Roman Catholic country which officially recognizes only Semetic Religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). The Romans had been out on their own share of invasions. Ms. Fiorini, the History Professor, also seems quite out-dated: the Aryan invasion has been summarily demolished in recent research, though that does not yet reflect in Indian school textbooks for obvious reasons of mediocrity and ideological priorities, a Professor in a European nation is expected to be more up-to-date with cutting-edge research!! Finally, Indian tax payers - especially those employed in the private enterprise - are not cynical about corruption, they mad with rage!!
Very small correction. It should be ';Mani pulite' and not "Mani puliti"
I'm italian and this article is absolutely trash. In Italy there's corruption but it's not different from USA one.It is just that Italy likes a lot to talk on TV and Newspaper about its problems and the rest of the world feels better listening that (like India is supposed to do on this article). If you really want to know why Italy is one of the greatest superpower despite corruption you just have to look at our products: fashion, food, big industries (aerospace, navy, etc), design, banking, tourism, several millions of medium companies who export in the entire world. Italy is where the western is born so probably most of the things that now are in your room are been designed by Italian architectures. The real problems of Italy are: politicians and big economic differences between north and south and a lot of immigrants (Indians included) who stay on the streets and try to steal everything from tourists. If India wants to be a leading country, it must create an own style like ITaly did in the past centuries and obviously destroy corruptions like we're trying to do in Italy.
Finally, there is a country in the developing world that is at our level! Congratulations on our mastery of low expectations...
Wonderful reading! Though I don't want to take any solace in another corrupt country's problems.
With India and Italy sharing so much of similarities albeit on a negative side of ethics and morality,it is high time that we do an Egypt in our respective countries as well.Time for action than mere words.Our politicians and other tainted sects of Indian democracy have become so thick skinned that even adverse comments by the highest court of India ,the Supreme court, does not make them introspect or prick the conscience.
I don't see the point in making this comparison if only to underline that well India's woes are not so bad, Italy's are worst ! You can always find someone worse off than you, but if you want to get out of your problems, better looking at what's best!
I think the article by Vaiju Naravane tries to show how a European country like Italy is so corruption-ridden so much so that India compares favourably with this Mediterranean nation. I wonder why many of the comments, above harp on why there is a comparison between India and Italy. Yes it attempts to initially, but later singles out the Italian political class for the way they have brought their nation to be a laughing stock in Europe and in particular, the stench of corruption and the scale of vile, guile and sleaze that Mr.Silvio Berlusconi specialises in as Prime minister and the utter indifference of the citizens to these not-so-casual delinquent behaviour.I do not think that the author of this articles tries to attempt an conclusion nor there is a need for it. The write-up shows that Indians who are neck-deep in scams would do well to comfort themselves by the fact that they are not an isolated case and that they are in an elite company of a European power, a G7 nation with a glorious past as India.
I believe the writer has completely missed the larger issue here which is- Inspite of the rampant corruption and India-like political structure of Italy, how did it manage to prove itself and come out as a developed nation in such a short span of time? Did it happen because it is sorrounded by already developed nations which took Italy with themselves on the path of economic prosperity? The reasons must be varied. Without answering these issues the comparison seems incomplete.
I think for a democracy to work efficiently and to get rid of any corrupt politicians, the majority of citizens shall be active in their role as citizens. The problem that may be with India (may be the same case with Italy as well) is that the majority of population think that they have no role in deciding the direction of the political parties and they just becomes bystanders watching the game.
Italy and India have more similarities and Mr. Berlusconi has maligned that state with his tantrums. India on the other hand is headed by a leader of Italian origin and the government she heads has been badly performing with scams day in and day out. Sordid state of affairs in both the countries and the comparsions drawn by the writer needs to be applauded.
Oh my God! Does it mean that the scams after scams taking place in our country during the present regime, the rampant corruption in all public dealings, lawlessness and complete lack of governance, chaos on the roads because of corruption in police and many more ills have been imported from Italy or are they part of the dowry? Varun Gandhi has planned his honeymoon in Italy. Look forwards to his reporting.
@Vibhor: You are right but have a look at the title of the article again.
I belive this comparison may help to realise all indians how the Italian mafia implement corruption in our country in all the sectors.
Russia is an another example, which much resembles Italy and India.
I don't understand the need of this comparison. It's without any conclusion anyways. Are we facing any less problems in India to ponder upon, so that we are making futile comparisons?
An excellent piece. The parallel between India and Italy, using geography and recent history, is striking. The depiction of today's Italian politics is outstanding and sadly accurate!
Having given the 'normalizing' benefit from this revelation, would the Indians be happy that they are not alone!? Corruption has a cancerous effect, anywhere, and it is insidious and progressive to a point no law and order can function. The seriousness of the situation may not be so shocking for the moment for people to react immediately but the momentum is only building up. There have to be mass protests and demand for change sooner than later to bring this malignant evil under control.It is not going to come from the people who enjoy the fruits of corruption. Ordinary citizens need to join hands to bring any such social change, lest India is doomed!
I wonder if this article was only written to make Indian readers feel better about their own situation? The author asks a very important question, but fails to answer it - what is the reason for Italy's economic prowess then? Why does the average Italian seem better off than the average Indian then? The author also implies that the Italian society in general is very tolerant and accepting towards corruption, vices and greed. Is it really the case anywhere? Just because it is a developed European country, let's not be intimidated to call Berlusconi another dictator-in-training, because his actions seem to point towards just that.
i think the comparison made is not appropriate as only the negative similarities have been brought into focus.
The TN CM Karunanidhi can be compared to Berlusconi. Both share Media outlets. Sun TV and kalaignar TV share 70 percentage of viewership in TN. Most TN public sees news that Karunanidhi wants them to see.
Ok it is how Italians perceive things, no big deal for us. But why in the first place we should be concerned about this whole Italian fiasco. Our Fever is not going to be cured by somebody else's higher Fever, until we take proper medicines and precaution. What is the point of writing these things at the first place, every fortnight we hear about a new scam bigger than the previous one. Crime graphs are on rise, especially against women. We have an adamant CVC who in spite of being corrupt is reluctant to step down. More than 100 parliamentarians are from criminal background and have cases pending against them in the courts. There are more in this plethora of issues bothering this country. What bleaker situation does the writer wants to be prevalent in this country to take it ahead of Italy? Come on! Don't insult the efforts of our politicians, babus who ransacked the whole country and also not to forget the efforts and patience showed of our people who are seeing their houses plundered mutely. Now if anyone has to write please quote about any country which is in better position than ours and what it takes to be there.
A very nice expose of Italian politics.We now know from where the Congress Party gets it's inspiration.
There are indeed some striking similarities in public behavior of Italy and India. 'Chalta hai' attitude prevails only in this part of western europe. And yes, it again corroborates the theory of warmer nations being more welcoming than colder ones..
Very true. Capitalism in Italy has made things worse..There is hardly an activist middle class and this reduces accountabilty
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