Japanese lessons for Italy

Bill Emmott - former editor of The Economist:

"western journalists became fond of drawing comparisons between Italy and Japan. In both countries, politics seemed disastrously corrupt, selfish and unproductive, with prime ministers and governments being changed all the time. In both places, government and corporate managements lacked transparency, with hidden networks of influence and power. In both places, there were regular scandals, revealing a lack of respect for the law and a poor record in enforcing it. And in both places the ordinary citizens didn´t seem to mind very much; they shrugged their shoulders, accepted the problems and just got on with their lives. Their tight family structures and community traditions helped ensure that in both countries there was social stability despite economic troubles."

True of India as well.