Despite the promise of the new "Second Republic" launched in the early 1990s, Italy remains Europe’s least well-governed country. Fifteen years ago, politicians on the take and mafiosi on the make were supposedly pushed aside by a new generation of reformers and crusading magistrates. However, in this new book a team of leading experts on Italy uncovers little real progress. Badly needed reforms have foundered on bickering between the parties and their ego-centric leaders. Both left and right-wing coalitions have been guilty of impeding the anti-corruption revolution. Little has been done to improve the quality of public expenditure: infrastructure and education systems remain shambolic, and decades of periodic devaluation and deficit spending have left the economy structurally weakened. Italy’s politicians are not just masters of trasformismo (an ability to reinvent and present themselves anew to voters), but of stratificazione, or "layering", the introduction of new policies and institutions without replacing those that preceded them. The result is a damaging mix of obsolete and contradictory legislation, the product of bargaining over reform by chronically weak governments in a veto-ridden polity. The outcome – immobilismo – is a system in which all parties, and democratic government itself, are steadily losing legitimacy.

This book was published as a special issue of West European Politics.

About the Author

Martin Bull is Professor of Politics at the University of Salford, UK.

Martin Rhodes is Professor of Political Economy in the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver, USA.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

SuperBookDeals.com is your top source for finding new books at the absolute lowest prices, guaranteed ! We offer big discounts - everyday - on millions of titles in virtually any category, from Architecture to Zoology -- and everything in between. Discover great deals and super-savings, on professional books, text book titles, the newest computer guides, or your favorite fiction authors. You'll find it all - at HUGE SAVINGS - at SuperBookDeals. Browse through our complete online product catalog today. Serving customers around the world for years, we help thousands find just the books they're looking for -- at incredibly low, bargain prices.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Seller's business information

Expert Trading Limited
9220 Rumsey Road, Suite 101, Columbia, MD, 21045, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Company Name: GreatBookPrices
Legal Entity: Expert Trading, LLC
Address: 9220 Rumsey Road, Ste 101, Columbia MD 21046
Email address: CustomerService@SuperBookDeals.com
Phone number: 410-964-0026
consumer complaints can be addressed to address above
Registration #: 52-1713923
Authorized representative: Danielle Hainsey

Shipping Terms

Internal processing of your order will take about 1-2 business days. Please allow an additional 4-14 business days for Media Mail delivery. We have multiple ship-from locations - MD,IL,NJ,UK,IN,NV,TN & GA

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	8 to 14 business days	5 to 14 business days
First item	US$ 2.64	US$ 2.64

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.