ABSTRACT
In 1992, a drastic shake-up of Italy's political and economic system, labeled the "bloodless revolution," began. The events of the "bloodless revolution" had rapid and dramatic political repercussions. Several key developments preceding the general elections in 1992 signaled important changes in the Italian political equilibrium. The first put intense pressure on the Italian Communist Party. Several issues important for Italy's future arose out of the scandals: the deficit, privatization, civil rights, and political dislocation. In Milan, called Tangentopoli, payoffs were divided among all the ruling parties, including the Italian Communist Party, according to a preset formula. The scandals convinced many Italians that the government was too heavily involved in the economy and that public companies were particularly vulnerable to extortion by political forces. The judges who orchestrated the political changes used the justice system and the jails to accomplish their aims.
