The death of Alce de Gasperi and the gradual departure of the first generation of Christian Democrats brought a new, more pragmatic and cynical generation of politicians to the forefront. While the “Christian Democrats of the first draft” saw politics as primarily ideological and were willing to suffer and make sacrifices in the name of political principles, the new generation of leaders saw politics as an exclusively instrumental goal.
Personal enrichment, the struggle for influence, and corruption have been important features of Italy’s political culture since the 1950s. Corruption exists in all countries. However, in most developed countries, it is a point phenomenon. Italy was one of the first countries where corruption turned from an exception to a systemic framework that supported the entire political system. Increased state intervention in politics has led to entire sectors of the economy becoming a source of personal enrichment for several leaders of the Christian Democratic Party.
Gradually, entire families emerged that retained influence over a particular industry or enterprise for several generations. Positions and informal privileges were shared among all political forces, depending on local specifics. Virtually every institution, from trade unions to sports clubs, was divided between Christian Democrats, socialists, communists, and representatives of other parties.
The corruption component led to the artificial preservation of the political system. Attempts to preserve their own preferences and wealth led the establishment to resist any attempts to change the system.
This system gradually led to a decrease in individual initiative in economic, political, or civic terms. Civic activities not affiliated with parliamentary parties found neither financial nor media support. The Italian political system gradually became regimented and, as a result, too fragile.
Excessive bureaucratization of the economy and the influence of corruption have led to the fact that the “Italian economic miracle” (unlike the “German economic miracle”) has become a short-lived phenomenon. Italy, which in the 50s and 60s had every chance of becoming another economic powerhouse in Europe, has significantly reduced its economic growth. Corruption, like a cancer, was eating away at the social and economic body of Italy.
Already in the mid-1970s, it became apparent that the electoral support of the Italian CDs was of a specific nature. Voters, who do not support the policies of the Christian Democrats, vote for the CD only as the most powerful non-communist party.
After the fall of communism and the loss of a counterweight in the form of a powerful communist party, the Italian CD began to lose electoral support. Operation Clean Hands, aimed at combating the influence of the mafia, demonstrated the corruption of all political parties, including the CD. Populist projects began to dominate the Italian political scene.
Author: Konstantin Kanishev