Meanwhile in Italy

[Greyblades]

So basically, the closest analogy is that italy is Europe's north korea? As far as the government goes at least.

[al Roumi]

So basically, the closest analogy is that italy is Europe's north korea? As far as the government goes at least.

Not really, Berlusconi runs Italy (to the extent that you could accuse him of charting a course for the country anyway) in the interests of his own private business empire. I remember reading something about how the great majority of laws that his governments had actually passed (passing a law in Italy has been quite intractable for the last decade, if not more) have been to exempt the prime minister (berlusconi) from various legal investigations and shore up his business empire. Berlusconi runs Italy with the same approach to public service as a feudal tax-farming baron.

I'd say Italy is closer to being Europe's Egypt or Nigeria, but plus a massive dollop of vested interests from a public gorged on special rights and priveleges which have been granted to "buy" their votes.

Italy is a developed country despite its political governance.