How to fix Italy after the divisive vote

Italy is "ungovernable"; Italy is in a "mess." These headlines dominated the world's press following the results from the recent elections. With no president to dissolve parliament for two months, Italians face the spectacle of continued political gridlock with the old elites, many tainted by corruption scandals, still holding the balance of power. What this shows more than anything else is a profound crisis in the relationship between the governed and their rulers.

Italians clearly rejected austerity, but what did they gain? A new voice from a novice political movement perhaps but the 25 percent of the vote gained by Beppe Grillo, a comedian, only goes to underscores how the public no longer trust the traditional political parties.

Although it was said in a different context, one is reminded of Berthold Brecht's comment that 'the people have lost the confidence of the government; the government has decided to dissolve the people, and to appoint another one.' Except, of course, that they can't!

Read more at the Huffington Post website