Massimo Rubboli, a historian from the University of Genova, provided an Italian perspective on the American presidential elections, also outlining fundamental differences in Italy's parliamentary democracy and America's representative democracy.

As part of the Ready for The World program, the Italian scholar questioned poor voter turnout in America, bipartisan political systems and cultural voting influences in the U.S. and abroad.

"I believe the most important question is not why the electoral participation is so low, but why are so few eligible citizens registered to vote? The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 attempted to make voting easier...nevertheless, voter participation didn't increase," said Rubboli.

In Italy, there is a growing distrust in politics and the government. Not that Italians ever believed the politician could be an honest person, but now there is greater dissatisfaction. Massimo Rubboli

In Rubboli's home state of Italy, more than 92 percent of citizens have voted in national elections since 1945. In the same time period, less than half of eligible American voters have turned out for presidential elections.

Placing blame for embarrassing voter turnout more on systematic failure than political apathy, Rubboli sees fundamental differences in American and Italian beliefs regarding the responsibility of average voters.

"In the American culture, the vote is considered a privilege. But the responsibility to vote or not is left to the individual," said Rubboli.

In Italy, elderly and otherwise incapable citizens are driven to voting booths, because voting is seen less as an option and more as a social duty.

Buses are even sent to monasteries to ensure that monks and nuns, most of whom cannot drive, are able to vote.

Another issue key to electoral participation is distrust and disapproval of politicians and government in general.

"In Italy, there is a growing distrust in politics and the government," said Rubboli. "Not that Italians ever believed the politician could be an honest person, but now there is greater dissatisfaction."

Rubboli believes the distrust Italians have long felt for politicians is a trend starting to be seen in America, one that will only worsen with time unless U.S. politicians are more successful in separating themselves from corruption and wrongdoing than Italians.

"The general distrust in parliament and government in Italy makes it little surprise that the same is happening in the United States," said Rubboli.

The area discussed by Rubboli that equally affects Italian and American voters is the role of the media. In both nations, mass media is largely responsible for directing public thought, which in turn plays a role in shaping public policy.

Rubboli pointed out one obvious concern regarding the relationship between politicians and the media in Italy: Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi owns a large share of Fininvest, the financial holding company which owns various TV stations, publishing companies and A.C. Milan, one of the nation's most popular soccer teams.

I believe the most important question is not why the electoral participation is so low, but why are so few eligible citizens registered to vote? Massimo Rubboli"His [P.M. Berlusconi] control of the media has allowed him to make a political comeback for the time. He controls so many newspapers and other forms of media that he shaped the thoughts of many Italians," said Rubboli.

Rubboli finished his lecture by pointing to America's faith in democracy as a strength that keeps the nation from succumbing to minor struggles and

"More than 80 percent of Americans still believe America has the best form of government," Rubboli said. "This allows America to solve many problems and provides a great deal of resiliency."

The Italian scholar's series of lectures at UT will resume on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 3:40 p.m. in Hodges Auditorium with an installment entitled "Religion and Politics Today in the U.S."