Description
Book SynopsisSince the European-wide domination of social democratic governments during the mid- to late-1990s, Right-wing parties have returned to power in the three largest Mediterranean democracies Italy, France and Spain. This alternation has been symptomatic of growing majoritarianism in Southern Europe, a trend which has gone against much of the rest of the continent, and of a decline in clientelist effectiveness also traditionally seen as the Southern norm'.
This volume assesses the subsequent periods of incumbency of these three governments, considering the salient features of each in their reaction to winning government and implementing policy, given their divergent historical roots and paths to power. In particular, it focuses on the evolving role of perceived extremist elements on the Right, and adaptation to a European arena which imposes a level of continuity on incumbents of whatever hue, attempts to defend national interests notwithstanding. Lastly, it considers the extent
Table of Contents
Introduction The Mainstream Right. The Nature of the Right in Italy. Unity and Plurality in the French Right. Party Change in the Spanish Right. The Right in Power. Populism and Pragmatism in the Berlusconi Government. The Raffarin Government: A Case of Campaigning Conservatism? Aznar and the Partido Popular Governments. The Right and Europe. The Spanish Right and European Integration: Re-Crafting a Conservative Position. The Extreme Right. Passage of Witness in the Italian Extreme Right. A Bastion of Solitude: Placing the Front National in the French Right.
