Political culture and political behavior

Long dogged by allegations of corruption, connections to organized crime, and concerns about Silvio Berlusconi&s;s near-monopoly control over Italian television, Silvio Berlusconi has been the consummate political survivor and is Italy&s;s only post-war prime minister to serve a full five-year term of office. Political culture, and, by extension, various forms of political behavior that are a manifestation of cultural values, are therefore worthy topics of serious consideration. "Special interests" can therefore hijack the political system, using their funds and lobbying ability to craft policy to suit their own interests, weakening both representative democracy and economic performance. When pressed about what the European Union (EU) represents, peace, human rights, democracy, and individual freedom are the top responses, and respondents suggested that culture, economy, history, and values helped create a sense of community among EU citizens. With the exception of the Czech Republic, post-communist countries also maintain stricter drug laws and punishments.