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Other observers describe it as more of a personality-driven populist movement, where "a billionaire businessman and television personality" pledges to use his unique skills to "represent the interests of ordinary people" against the political establishment; and where the "scandals, investigations, and trials" that follow him are dismissed by his passionately loyal base of supporters as evidence that he is "the most persecuted" person in history.[5]
The term "Berlusconism" emerged in the 1980s, characterised by a strongly positive connotation as a synonym of the "entrepreneurial optimism" of the time, defined as an entrepreneurial spirit which is not discouraged by difficulties, with confidence in being able to solve problems.[6] However, starting in the 21st century and as a consequence of the increasing identification of Berlusconi as a primarily political figure, the attributed meaning changed in the context of journalistic and political language.
According to the Italian definition given by the online vocabulary of the Encyclopedia Institute, Berlusconism has a wide range of meanings, all having their origins in the figure of Berlusconi and the political movement inspired by him: the substantive refers not only to the "thought movement",[7] but also to the "social phenomenon"[7] and even the phenomenon "of custom"[7] bound to his entrepreneurial and political figure. The term Berlusconism is also used to refer to a certainlaissez-faire vision supported by him, not only of the economy and the markets but also with reference to the same policy.[7]
According to his political opponents and business rivals, Berlusconism is only a form ofdemagogicpopulism, comparable tofascism, stressing the fact that Berlusconi declared his admiration forBenito Mussolini,[8] even though he criticised theracial Fascist laws and the alliance withNazi Germany, referring to himself aspro-Israel.[9][10] In 2013, he returned to calling Mussolini a good leader whose biggest mistake was signing up to exterminate theJews.[11] His supporters instead compare Berlusconism to the FrenchGaullism and the ArgentinePeronism.[12]
A feature of Berlusconi's leadership tactics was to use the party as a means to gain power (with the party described as a "light party" because of its lack of a complex internal structure).[14] This is decidedly comparable to the political tactics used byCharles de Gaulle inFrance. Another feature of great importance is the emphasis on a "liberal revolution", publicised and summarised by the "Contract with the Italians" of 2001.[14] A strong reformism was added to these pillars, principally of the form of the Italian state and the constitution"[14] in favour of moving from aparliamentary system to asemi-presidential system,[24] a higherelection threshold, the abolition of theSenate, the halving in size of theChamber of Deputies, the abolition of theprovinces and the reform of the judiciary, with separation of the careers between magistrates and magistrates'scivil responsibility, by Berlusconi considered impartial.[24] Berlusconi declared himself to be persecuted by the judiciary, having undergone 34 processes,[25] accusing them of being manipulated by the political left and comparing himself toEnzo Tortora as a victim of a miscarriage of justice. More recently, Berlusconi declared himself in favour ofcivil unions.[26][27][28]
A number of writers and political commentators consider Berlusconi's political success a precedent for the2016 election of real estate tycoonDonald Trump as the 45thPresident of the United States,[29][30][31] with most noting Berlusconi's panned Prime Minister tenure and therefore making the comparison in dismay.Roger Cohen ofThe New York Times argued: "Widely ridiculed, endlessly written about, long unscathed by his evident misogyny and diverse legal travails, Berlusconi proved a Teflon politician. [...] Nobody who knows Berlusconi and has watched the rise and rise of Donald Trump can fail to be struck by the parallels".[32]
InThe Daily Beast, Barbie Latza Nadeau wrote: "If Americans are wondering just what a Trump presidency would look like, they only need to look at the traumatized remains of Italy after Berlusconi had his way".[33]
