Italians need an aggressive and energetic government
Well, i finally managed to penetrate the august pages of the Financial Times today. Sadly, it is only a letter, but it's a step in the right direction. Now to decide whether i claim this as a publication or not. Any thoughts?
Italians need an aggressive and energetic government
By Raff Published: March 23 2006 02:00 Last updated: March 23 2006 02:00
From Raff
Sir, The headline to Wolfgang Munchau's article "A grand coalition could solve Italy's problems" (March 20) is rather misleading in the context of the rest of the article. Given Italy's history of 59 governments since the second world war, it would also seem improbable. The interim technocratic government that is likely to follow the collapse of Romano Prodi's government may be a temporary improvement, but it will fail to address the leadership problem that is at the root of Italy's troubles.
Italians are in dire need of strong and able leadership. Unfortunately, their current situation has left them with the former over the latter. The reason Italians have allowed this to happen is mostly as a result of the sheer force of nature that Silvio Berlusconi has proved to be. This is the key rationale behind polls that show that almost a quarter of Italians are unsure about whether they really want to vote Mr Berlusconi (a leader whose record of success is certainly questionable) out of office. For all his failings, Mr Berlusconi has shown himself to be a more energetic leader than Professore Prodi.
On top of this, they have yet to match the outside world's obsession with their failing economy. While it has become de rigueur to consider Italy Europe's new "sick man", Italians themselves seem content with the fact that neither Mr Berlusconi nor Mr Prodi has offered a credible economic solution.
The last thing Italians need is a passive government that will stand back and try to mend structural economic failings. What they really need is an aggressive and energetic government that will seize the reins of power and whip labour productivity into shape, control inflation, and force the Italian economy to adapt to the globalising economy.
Sadly, this does not appear to be on the horizon. One can only hope that it does not take the return of a strongman of Benito Mussolini's passion to wake them from their slumber.
Raff
The letter can be found at: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/531348ee-ba12-11da-9d02-0000779e2340.html
The original article can be found at: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a96039ca-b777-11da-b4c2-0000779e2340.html
(though i suspect you may have to pay to read the article - ah the joys of working in an office this is not a concern)
Italians need an aggressive and energetic government
By Raff Published: March 23 2006 02:00 Last updated: March 23 2006 02:00
From Raff
Sir, The headline to Wolfgang Munchau's article "A grand coalition could solve Italy's problems" (March 20) is rather misleading in the context of the rest of the article. Given Italy's history of 59 governments since the second world war, it would also seem improbable. The interim technocratic government that is likely to follow the collapse of Romano Prodi's government may be a temporary improvement, but it will fail to address the leadership problem that is at the root of Italy's troubles.
Italians are in dire need of strong and able leadership. Unfortunately, their current situation has left them with the former over the latter. The reason Italians have allowed this to happen is mostly as a result of the sheer force of nature that Silvio Berlusconi has proved to be. This is the key rationale behind polls that show that almost a quarter of Italians are unsure about whether they really want to vote Mr Berlusconi (a leader whose record of success is certainly questionable) out of office. For all his failings, Mr Berlusconi has shown himself to be a more energetic leader than Professore Prodi.
On top of this, they have yet to match the outside world's obsession with their failing economy. While it has become de rigueur to consider Italy Europe's new "sick man", Italians themselves seem content with the fact that neither Mr Berlusconi nor Mr Prodi has offered a credible economic solution.
The last thing Italians need is a passive government that will stand back and try to mend structural economic failings. What they really need is an aggressive and energetic government that will seize the reins of power and whip labour productivity into shape, control inflation, and force the Italian economy to adapt to the globalising economy.
Sadly, this does not appear to be on the horizon. One can only hope that it does not take the return of a strongman of Benito Mussolini's passion to wake them from their slumber.
Raff
The letter can be found at: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/531348ee-ba12-11da-9d02-0000779e2340.html
The original article can be found at: http://news.ft.com/cms/s/a96039ca-b777-11da-b4c2-0000779e2340.html
(though i suspect you may have to pay to read the article - ah the joys of working in an office this is not a concern)
posted by Raff @ 11:34 AM
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