Description
The is a comprehensive course on the government and politics of contemporary Italy. The course begins with and analysis of the process of constitution and state-building in Italy and the consolidation of democracy in the early post-WWII years. The course then examines the problems of government in the ‘first republic’, focussing in particular on Christian Democratic domination and lack of alternation in power, institutional failure, and the political role of the mafia, and the multi-fragmentation of the political parties. The course will then explore the political upheavals that have characterised Italy since the early 1990s including the profound party and electoral changes that have transformed the political landscape.

Finally this course will examine Italian politics today with visits to the parliment and other goverment offices and analyse and discuss current events and issues in Italian politics found in daily Italian print and televised news.

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Course Reader
This course will include on-site visits and guest speakers.