Breaking Free (Not Apart)

For generations the argument has been made that the position of the nation of Italy is hopeless, with the prosperous north destined to remain dominant and whatever joys of the south simply drifting away into oblivion as the region becomes progressively less capable of sustaining spread wealth. Observers have almost conceded that it is a forgone conclusion, yet they miss a viable point which is causing Italy to rot from within--and the place where it can be resuscitated: strong federal leadership.

During the twilight days of World War II, Benito Mussolini made a considerable name for himself as the efficient caretaker of Italian dreams for the future. His methods were brutal, his process mechanical, yet for many citizens, it was a welcome break from the shoddy socialist parties of the latter 1800s which had done little to preserve national unity. Regardless of where he started, the Duce made a point to build up the army, consolidate power, and create an effort to dramatically restructure society so as to help each section of the country.

Even in the depths of the South, Mussolini employed federal funds to build schools and provide jobs to the citizenry, planting seeds which would momentarily lift Sicily out of its historical recession state before his empire came crashing down as the Allies prevailed in Europe.

No one is out to justify what Mussolini did besides those which can be looked to as merits, but he illustrates the sort of leader needed by the Italian state in order to hold a balance between the modernized northern tier and the Romanesque geography below it. If the picture is not clear enough as it stands, look to the election of media mogul playboy Silvio Berlusconi in 2001. Despite unorthodox tactics of control and partial suppression, the premier's overall leadership has brought about a period of stability in Italy's government which was unheard of since his fascist predecessor.

Yet it comes down to character, and therein lies the issue with both men, notwithstanding their considerable successes. A leader must appear to hold standards for their self, otherwise the people lose faith and eventually come to distrust  their would-be savior. In such this way it is not an Italian who can save the country, but an Italian who understands Western rhetoric and spirit. The general chances of a Northern League member winning the executive-ship is low by all means, and so the only solution is someone who can build a strong southern coalition of fused parties and then use Americanism to empower those still in the region. Better governance would involve efforts to draw American companies to the southern zone, employing people there and allowing the positive ethic of hard work to settle in where government dependency is rampant.

Weak governments are problematic because they cause the people to lose hope in the ability of their officials to rule impartially and without purpose of evasion. Even the most elite offices become simply rotational positions for those who can rub elbows with the rich--or the criminal.

Thankfully the future offers a plethora of opportunities for change, and with the migration to Italy from many other nations, a change for the better is more viable with each passing day; it is just up to the citizens to accept the benefits of new action.



Andrew Rimmer

National Alliance Vice President for Communication