Italy

This book provides the best up-to-date survey of the Italian political scene during the forty years since World War II. It describes the inner dynamics of the political parties, the day-to-day functioning of the governing institutions, and the interaction of the country's economic, social, and political life. It shows how a political system, riven with difficulties and seemingly in a continual crisis, survives and prospers--in some ways more successfully than its purportedly better-governed neighbors.

1. the Political Context; 2. The Christian Democrats: The Indispensable center; 3. The Communists' struggle for legitimacy and acceptance; 4. The ambiguous role of the Socialists; 5. The small parties: The lay forces and the extremes; 6. Parliament, prime minister and president; 7. Public administration and sottogoverno; 8. The administration of justice; 9. Dangers to the state: Plots, terrorism, and the mafia; 10. Economic and social transformation; 11.