Description
Book Synopsis In 2002, the second Berlusconi government, given its parliamentary strength, should have been able to implement its ambitious reform program. This 18th edition of Italian Politics examines the events of that year in light of the opportunities and the domestic and international constraints faced by Italy's center-right government. This volume discusses the actions of the Italian president, the prime minister's function within the cabinet, the overall behaviour of the government vis-á-vis Parliament, majority-opposition clashes in the legislature, foreign affairs, and economic and immigration policy. Moreover, the volume focuses on selected heated issues, including Berlusconi's conflict with the judiciary, reform of the labor market, evolution of banking foundations, and the crisis of Fiat, the nation's largest manufacturing group.
Trade Review "These excellent analytical essays are complemented by a long documentary appendix giving useful statistics on population trends, immigration, public finances, employment, education, elections and referendums. There is also a helpful bibliography. An essential reference tool for anyone concerned with the stat and State of Italy." · Modern Italy
Table of Contents Introduction:The Second Berlusconi Government
Jean Blondel and Paolo Segatti
Chapter 1. The Second Berlusconi Government Put to the Test: A Year of Complications
Maurizio Cotta and Luca Verzichelli
Chapter 2. Municipal Elections: Real Change or Simply Alternation?
Gianfranco Baldini and Guido Legnante
Chapter 3. The Opposition Role of the Center-Left Party
James L. Newel
Chapter 4. The Ciampi Presidency
Gianfranco Pasquino
Chapter 5. Legitimate Suspicions? Berlusconi and the Judges
David Nelken
Chapter 6. The Berlusconi Government’s Economic Policy during the First Year of Office
Paolo Onofri
Chapter 7. The Italian Parliament twixt the Logic of Government and the Logic of Institutions (Much Ado about Something—but What Exactly?)
Giliberto Capano and Marco Giuliani
Chapter 8. The Bossi-Fini Law: Explicit Fanaticism, Implicit Moderation, and Poisoned Fruits
Asher Colombo and Giuseppe Sciortino
Chapter 9. Bank Foundations: An Attack Fought Off?
Renzo Costi
Chapter 10. The (Failed) Reform of Article 18
Aris Accornero and Eliana Como
Chapter 11. The Berlusconi Government’s Foreign Policy: The First 18 Months
Filippo Andreatta and Elisabetta Brighi
Chapter 12. Fiat: An Italian Crisis
Giuseppe Berta
Documentary Appendix
Compiled by Susy Monica Lelli
