Towards the end of a long transition? Bipolarity and instability in Italy’s changing political system

Carbone, C; Newell, JL

Abstract

This article analyses the significance of the 2008 general election for the prospects of an early conclusion to Italy's transition from a First to a Second Republic. The election saw not only the return of Berlusconi to power, but also a radical simplification of Italian politics, with a considerable reduction in the number of parliamentary groups and the emergence of much more straightforward and clear-cut governing and opposition roles. The likelihood of a successful conclusion to the transition was increased by the agreement of governing and opposition forces in the immediate aftermath of the campaign to search actively for mutually acceptable institutional reforms.

Citation

Carbone, C., & Newell, J. (2008). Towards the end of a long transition? Bipolarity and instability in Italy’s changing political system. Politics, 28(3), 138-149. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9256.2008.00322.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2011
• Journal: Politics
• Print ISSN: 0263-3957
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 138-149
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9256.2008.00322.x
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9256.2008.00322.x