Part of the reason for Berlusconi’s longevity despite his many stumbles is cultural. As in other Latin or Mediterranean countries with a strong Catholic tradition, Italian society long ago learned to accept serenely a life of duplicity: on the one hand, a strong attachment to church and family values, and on the other a second life – often lived in plain sight – composed of mistresses and other “dubious” connections.
错误百出的贝卢斯科尼之所以能如此长盛不衰，文化方面的原因恐怕功不可没。就像其他具有很强天主教传统的拉丁或地中海国家一样，意大利社会在很久以前就学会了平静地接受生活的两重性：一方面极其看重教堂和家庭观念，而另一方面则毫不掩饰地拥有由情人和其他“可疑”关系构成的另外一种生活。