This book addresses the process of decentralization in Italy, examined from the perspective of political parties. In particular, it assesses whether and to what extent the dynamics of party competition are likely to shape policy agenda and affect policy change. The author starts by providing a thorough account of the process and history of Italian decentralization and the policy outcomes achieved over time, before discussing how party attention to an issue triggers related policy changes (manipulation of salience). Next, the focus shifts to the concrete positions adopted by parties on decentralization to assess whether the pattern of party competition has been consensual or adversarial, and how this pattern influenced the process of reform (manipulation of position). Finally, the author examines the role of frames in party competition. This volume offers essential research that will prove useful to a variety of audiences, ranging from scholars of territorial and Italian politics to those interested in agenda-setting, policy change, and party politics.

Studies the processes of decentralization, agenda-setting and policy change within Italian territorial politics Provides both theoretical and methodological analyses Contributes to our understanding of party politics on a territorial scale

Autorentext
Linda Basile is Research Fellow at the Department of Social, Political, and Cognitive Sciences of the University of Siena, Italy. Her work has been published in Party Politics and Regional & Federal Studies.

Inhalt

Chapter 1 - The Party Politics of Decentralization - Theory, Definitions, Research Design, and Methods.- Chapter 2 - Setting the Scene: The Direction and Pattern of Decentralization In Italy. Chapter 3 - Salience - Putting Decentralization on the Agenda: The Role of Political Parties.- Chapter 4 - Position - Sharp Conflict Or Shared Consensus?.- Chapter 5 - Frames - The Art of Justifying Preferences.- Concluding Remarks.