A lively account of the general election of 2008 and of its profound significance for Italy and beyond. It gets to grips with the complexities of Italian politics in an exceptionally clear way. Covering the background to the election, the campaign, the parties, voting and the outcome, it is comprehensive in approach and tells a fascinating 'story'.

Autorentext
JAMES L. NEWELL is Professor of Politics at the University of Salford, UK. His recent books include Parties and Democracy in Italy ; Italian Politics: Adjustment under Duress (with M. Bull); The Italian General Election of 2006 (ed.). He is co-editor of European Political Science and co-convenor of the UK Political Studies Association's (PSA's) Italian Politics Specialist Group.

Inhalt
Introduction: A Guide to the Election and 'Instructions for Use'; J.L.Newell PART I: THE CONTEXT The Political Context 2006 2008; A.Mastropaolo The Economic Context; M.Capriati The EU and International Contexts; G.A.Fois PART II: THE RUN-UP TO THE ELECTION The Parties of the Centre Left; I.Favretto The Parties of the Centre Right: Many Oppositions, One Leader; D.Albertazzi & D.McDonnell The Processes of Alliance Formation; M.Donovan PART III: THE CAMPAIGN Campaign Issues and Themes; D.Campus The Low Intensity Media Campaign and a Vote That Comes From Far Back; F.Roncarolo The New Technologies: The First Internet 2.0 Election; C.Cepernich PART IV: THE OUTCOME Italian Voters: Berlusconi's Victory and the 'New' Italian Party System; A.Chiaramonte A Different Legislature? The Parliamentary Scene Following the 2008 Elections; F.Russo & L.Verzichelli The Formation of the Fourth Berlusconi Government; G.Pasquino Conclusion: A Watershed Election?; J.L.Newell