Special Issue on Informal Challenges to Mediterranean Politics

Guest Editor’s Note Silvio Berlusconi's continuous scandals have shown how politics in Italy is dominated by a vast web of clientelismo (patron-client relations)1 between politicians, businessperson, and voters. The most recent scandals of Berlusconi do not just point a bohemian lifestyle but a degenerated form of clientelismo: young charming women accept this humiliating situation for a return, not only a conspicuous sum but also a help for their career from Berlusconi, who was the leader of the ruling coalition as well as a media magnate. With friendly and informal relations Berlusconi strengthened economic relations and assured contracts to many Italian firms, which are his clients. Moreover, Berlusconi's foreign policy also has shown how he preferred informal politics with leaders like Putin, Erdoğan, and Qaddafi