In the 1990s, Berlusconi founded a new political party called “Forza Italia”, which means something like “Go Italy!” or “Be Strong Italy!”  He was going to push his country past the inept Italian politics of the past.  Although nominally conservative, Berlusconi’s party didn’t have much of an ideology.  It appealed to all sorts of disgruntled people, especially the less educated, and mostly relied on media image making.  Berlusconi was very wealthy, and involved in TV, and also was involved with a string of beautiful young women, some underage.  A walking ad for Viagra. He was also the kind of guy that would sue people for libel when they criticized him, so perhaps I need to be careful here.  (The Economist won it’s libel suit, and warned the Italians that Berlusconi was unfit for office.  When the Economist says a candidate is completely unfit for office, it’s worth listening.)

Voters didn’t have much to go on except his promises to rejuvenate Italy.  But since traditional parties had failed, and the Italian economy had been growing very slowly, they decided to put their faith in a politician with a macho image, who made crude jokes and was a fan of Vladimir Putin.  What could be worse then an economy mired in a malaise of slow economic growth?  Wait and see.

Between 2001 and 2011, Berlusconi was in power for all but 2 years.  So I went to Eurostat (which is insanely confusing) to see how the Italian economy had done in the 21st century, compared to other European economies.  Yes, I know it’s been a tough period for all of Europe, but let’s see how Italy did in relative terms.  At least they avoided a big Greek-style financial crisis.

In all of Europe, the slowest growing economy was Portugal, whose RGDP increased by 0.8% between 2000 and 2013 (the most recent data available.) That’s not 0.8% per year, that’s a total increase of 0.8% in 13 years!  So at least Italy wasn’t the worst?  Not quite, I said Portugal was the slowest growing.  There was one country where the economy actually shrank over the 13 year period between 2000 and 2013.  Can you guess which one?

That’s right, the one presided over by the jerk with the smirk:

PS.  During the same period Germany grew by 14.9%, France grew by 14.3%, Spain grew by 19.0%, and even Greece managed to grow by 1.5%.  But Italy shrank.  Apparently Viagra is not enough to make an economy grow.

PPS.  I’m not trying to tell you how to vote. But if you encounter any Berlusconi-type macho politicians, who brag about their sexual prowess, just recall what he failed to do for Italy.

PPPS.  Here’s how The Economist reported its victory in the libel lawsuit:

Cash will do nicely, Silvio

PPPPS.  Isn’t it nice to finally have a post with no mention of American politics!