Massimo Rubboli, a proffesor at the University of Genova, has been both author and editor of twelve books. His most recent publication was God is Marching On in 2003. Rubboli came to the University of Tenessee to present a speech on the differences between politics in Italy and the United states. His speech also concentrated on the voting turnout for the United States Presidential Election this year.

His most pressing issue was voter registration. Participation is on the rise, but the mere fact that many do not even register to vote irks Rubboli. He believes that Americans who do not register to vote think that one candidate over another will not make a difference. Although he disagrees with that sentiment, he is, however, impressed by the number of students getting involved in the election. 

"Students flock to voting booths, doubling, even tripling, attendance in states such as IowaStudents flock to voting booths, doubling, even tripling, attendance in states such as Iowa. Massimo Rubboli," Rubboli said about American students.

In Italy, the citizens do not have to register to vote, but the Italian government takes extra pains to ensure that the elections are a true representation of all Italians by providing transportation to voting locations. This is especially helpful to the elderly and even the monks and nuns who have no transportation of their own.

Another interesting difference between American politics and Italian politics is the presence of the Pope in Italy. Since the Vatican, the home of the Pope, is a city-state located within Italy, it provides a great deal of influence in reference to Italian politics and the media.

For instance, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi controls one out of the three state television stations and four out of five of the major newspapers in Italy. He is also owns A.C. Milan, one of the nation's most famous soccer teams.

Silvio's obvious media power poses a problem in the political system. He can control what news is published and how it portrays the government. Also, unlike in America where we learn about our candidates through the news and political debates, Italians learn about their political candidates through talk and entertainment shows.

Rubboli also mentions the misconceptions that many Italians have about Americans. 

"They mostly learn about Americans by watching television shows such as soap operas, crime shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Walker, Texas Ranger. Massimo RubboliThey mostly learn about Americans by watching television shows such as soap operas, crime shows like CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Walker, Texas Ranger," Rubboli noted concerning how Italians perceive Americans.

Because they learn about America through television, many Italians have a distorted view of American behavior. They also think that all of America is like major cities such as Washington and New York.

Rubboli ends his lecture with one last thought for the audience to ponder. He brings up the fact that it is not only Americans who are stereotyped. He then recalls a visit to Vancouver, Canada where his landlady seemed to think Italy was extremely provincial. 

"She said, 'You're too tall to be Italian' and then, while showing me the kitchen, asked me if i knew what a refrigerator was," Rubboli chuckled.