This course introduces students to the structure of Italian government and the functioning of Italian politics in practice. It gives a broad overview of the main institutions and players (especially the parties) in the Italian political system, setting these within a comparative context. An emphasis is placed on the electoral arena where major changes have occurred in the transition from the first to the second Italian Republic.
- COTTA, M. e VERZICHELLI, L., Il sistema politico italiano, Il Mulino, Bologna, last edition avalaible (2008 or, better, if already published, 2011).
- DIAMANTI, I., Mappe dell'Italia politica. Bianco, rosso, verde, azzurro... e tricolore, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2009.
- ITANES, Il ritorno di Berlusconi. Vincitori e vinti nelle elezioni del 2008, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008.
Textbooks for the 6 credits exam:
- COTTA, M. e VERZICHELLI, L., Il sistema politico italiano, Il Mulino, Bologna, last edition avalaible (2008 or, better, if already published, 2011), chapters 1 to 7 and 10.
- DIAMANTI, I., Mappe dell'Italia politica. Bianco, rosso, verde, azzurro... e tricolore, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2009.
- ITANES, Il ritorno di Berlusconi. Vincitori e vinti nelle elezioni del 2008, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2008, chapters 1 to 6.
Learning Objectives
The course aims at providing the students with the basic knowledge on the working of the Italian political system from the political science perspective.
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Methods
66 (9 credits) or 42 (6 credits) hours lecture course
Type of Assessment
The final exam is written and based on 5-6 short answers (within one hour and a half time). Erasums students only may take the oral exam instead of the written exam, if they prefer. No mid-term exam is provided.
Course program
The goal of this course is to analyze the basic features of Italian politica, starting with the foundation of the national state and going through the fascist experience and the restoration of democracy after world war II up to the current political and institutional setting. Topics covered: the party system, the parliamentary nature of the government and its evolution, local governments and public administration. A special enphasis is given to the causes and consequences of the transition from the First to the Second Republic, with specific reference to the electoral process, the institutional reforms and the party system change.