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The Berlusconi Case in Italy. Changes of the political discourse in the late western democracies

Explore the complex political career and communication strategies of Silvio Berlusconi, analyzing his rise to power, controversies, and survival tactics in the late Western democracy landscape. Contact: fausto.colombo@unicatt.it

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The Berlusconi Case in Italy. Changes of the political discourse in the late western democracies

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  1. The Berlusconi Case in Italy. Changes of the political discourse in the late western democracies Fausto Colombo OssCom Catholic University of Milano Italy

  2. Introducing (briefly) myself • Professor of Media Theory, Faculty of Political Sciences, Catholic University of Milan • Director of OssCom, Research Center on Media and Communication (Catholic University) • Main Topics: • Digitalisation of media • Generations and Media • Media and Politics • Social History of Italian Media (and Mass Culture)

  3. My last publication about Silvio Berlusconi “The Strange Case of Silvio Berlusconi and the Role of Lying in Political Discourse”, in Carpentier at alii, Communicative Approaches to Politics and Ethics in Europe, Tartu University Press, 2009

  4. Silvio Berlusconi and the PoliticalPower in Italy: HistoryofanAnomaly? • SB as a businessman (building, media, insurance, banking, retail…) • SB as a politician: • 1993: foundation of the new party Forza Italia; political alliance with Lega Nord and Alleanza Nazionale (post-fascist party) • 1994: Victory at the political elections • 1996: Political defeat against Romano Prodi at new political elections (without Lega Nord)

  5. History of an Anomaly? 2 • 2001: New Victory in Political Elections (with Lega Nord, Alleanza Nazionale, UDC) • 2006: Political Defeat, again against Romano Prodi • 2007: Foundation of a new Political Party, Popolo della Libertà • 2008: Victory at the Political elections (Popolo della Libertà and Lega Nord) • 2008-today: Premiership

  6. Some Paradox about SB • A political/non political character • Conflict of Public Good and Self-Interest • Moral Conflict (no clearness about the origins of his capital; doubts about his personal morality; charges with any different crimes) • Public Conflict (laws made by his governments about many economic or institutional topics wich implicate his business)

  7. SB and the (Political) Communication: Points of Strenght • One way communication • Television discourses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8-uIYqnk5A • Organized events: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIcSlkWWCtg • Ability in listening and understanding people • Technical ability on large scale (mkt) • Personal ability on micro-scale (interpersonal communication)

  8. SB and the (Political) Communication: Weakness Points • Two-ways or interactive communication • On Tv: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PH5iIUos8M&feature=related • In the public debates • Difficulty in adapting himself to institutional standards • National institutions • Diplomatic contexts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZfsRZi-tfQ&feature=related

  9. SB survival ability • SB survived until now: • To very strong mediatic campaigns • National • International • Scandals (Noemi, D’Addario, Civil Protection, divorce) • Conspirancies by allies

  10. Strong/weak points • A latin lover? • A Popular Superhero? L’Aquila Earthquake: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY0hFc9E68M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhyaWZjQO8o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDUHLAbqsFI&feature=related http://www.repubblica.it/2009/05/sezioni/politica/berlusconi-divorzio-1/articolo-dieci-domande/articolo-dieci-domande.html?ref=search

  11. Traditional Explications • Central Role of Communication • Ownership of media (overall Television) • Communicative Ability • Economical Strenght • Absence of Political Scruples … and what about the support of 30-35% of the electorate?

  12. Some More Explications • In general and global terms: • The Rise of Audience Democracy and its Consequences • Crisis of the democratic model grounded on participation • Personalitation of Politics and Leaderism • In specific and national terms • The tipical italian “provincialism” • Crisis of the èlites Populism

  13. Conclusive Hypothesis The political experience of Silvio Berlusconi in Italy is not simply a freak political experience caused by an absolute strangeness of italian situation. On the contrary, it is a typical national case of new populism, wich is one of the possibilities of audience democracy as described by Bernard Manin.

  14. Conclusive Hypothesis 2 The most important abilities of Silvio Berlusconi are: • on one hand finding a successful alliance solution in a given situation (electoral law); • on the other hand interpretating ideas and feelings of the silent majority. Silvio Berlusconi the (one) italian version of a typical leader of new populistic democracies in western countries.

  15. fausto.colombo@unicatt.ithttp:laculturasottile.wordpress.com

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