In the interview with Forchielli published yesterday, I wrote about his excessive number of social media followers (715,000 on facebook, and 7,000 on twitter), excessive because he’s not a rock star, but the founder of a private equity fund. Well, I was wrong. He is a rock star.
Let me explain. The interview concluded with his words: “Power annoys me to no end.”
Not having given an explanation for why power annoys him, he unleashed a myriad of requests from his fans for an explanation. Here he is back on the oblòg stage to indulge us with an encore.
Alberto, what’s this story that power bores you? “Power is boring because you can’t manage your time as you’d like. Not being in control of your own agenda is a huge burden. Power forces you to do things you never would have otherwise. Think about Prodi who had to forge relationships with Mastella and Bertinotti, and Berlusconi who was surrounded by people like La Russa and Gasparri.”
Paradoxically, power robs freedom from the powerful? “If we’re talking about managers and politicians, they are powerful until a certain point because they always have someone to be accountable. However, it’s a question of ethics. Whether an expression of the public or private sector, power signifies responsibility in the face of civil society. The position forces you to provide a good example. Consider Moretti and the story of his compensation. He behaved like a child. He should have been silent. He has certain responsibilities in his role and cannot appear sensitive to questions of “small change” with the concrete risk of seeming like a little man.
How do you judge political power in Italy? “It almost never sets a good example. And when public opinion catches you, they massacre you. If you have the habit of soliciting whores, it’s best not to get involved in politics.”
And you as an entrepreneur? “I have power, but it’s shared.”
Any examples of politics and power? “I already discussed Andreatta yesterday. Andreatta’s private life was beyond reproach, but he tripped on the Sicilian problem. President Ciampi never sought power, and he managed it with dignity. Prodi had the ambition to become president, but he didn’t want to pay the price of negotiation and fostering the parliament.”
Among the greats, who wields power the best? “Pope Francis. He didn’t want it, he didn’t lobby, he can’t even lay eyes on San Lorenzo, and he’s bearing the cross with a smile. While Pope Ratzinger had the responsibility to say that he couldn’t do it.”
Is it the same in the USA? “In the private sector, yes. But not in public administration. The highest salaries are worth USD$170,000, therefore there’s a lot turnover. The difference is that you can’t get rich in politics. They go into politics after, while writing books or working as consultants.”
So, here’s it’s the rule of power? “Power is ok when you don’t have to sell your soul to get it. You have to accept only when you can’t say no.”
In essence, you mean that we will never see you as Minister? “Are you joking? Being a minister would be like taking it up the ass from a battalion of Hussars!”
And now close the curtains. It’s only Rock ‘n’ Roll!
