The Politics of Italy

This innovative text provides a fresh approach to Italian politics, providing critical analysis in a comparative framework.

This innovative text offers a fresh approach to Italian politics and society, providing insight into subjects ranging from parliament to corruption and the Mafia. Using clear and simple language, its incisive analysis helps readers to see through common Italian stereotypes by means of a familiar comparative approach.This innovative text offers a completely fresh approach to Italian politics by placing it in its historical, institutional, social and international contexts. Students will get to grips with the theories and concepts of comparative politics and how they apply specifically to Italy, while gaining real insight into more controversial topics such as the Mafia, corruption and the striking success of Berlusconi. The textbook uses clear and simple language to critically analyze Italy's institutions, its political culture, parties and interest groups, public policy, and its place in the international system. Often regarded as an anomaly, Italy is frequently described in terms of 'crisis', 'instability' and 'alienation'. Sceptical of these conventional accounts, Newell argues that, if understood in its own terms, the Italian political system is just as effective as other established democracies. With features including text boxes and further reading suggestions, this is an unbeatable introduction to the politics of Italy.