In 1950s and 1960s the country enjoyed prolonged economic boom, which was accompanied by a dramatic rise in the standard of living of ordinary Italians.

But Berlusconi also speaks with braggadocio, an unfettered self-aggrandizing streak that alienates many ordinary Italians.

The rest, he said, is the work of "ordinary Italians."

In Italy, other politicians and ordinary Italians were far less constrained.

His appeal to ordinary Italians is also like Mr. Reagan's.

With ordinary Italians ever more frustrated about the economy, calls grew over the summer for the discredited Mr. Fazio to resign.

And so, he and other cultural officials say, ordinary Italians need to begin to donate beyond what they already pay in taxes.

He took photographs of animals and plants, as well as pictures depicting the lives of ordinary Italians.

This history has left ordinary Italians profoundly cynical about politicians: even more so than Americans.

Evermore investigations produce evermore evidence of wrongdoing, not just among top politicians and businessmen but also among ordinary Italians.