ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates briefly the broad parameters of the relationship between Italy’s constitutional structures, especially parliament, and citizens. It argues that Italy’s major constitutional challenge is to bridge the gap between state structures that remain relatively closed to participatory pressures, and citizens that have developed autonomy from political parties, and are demanding a greater role in defining the terms of citizenship. The chapter outlines of the evolution of Italy’s constitutional structures through the post-war period. It examines more closely the ways in which citizens may or may not be linked to parliament. Italian legislators did carry out some of the more conventional forms of constituency service. For instance, Italy’s permeable budgetary process provided individual members with opportunities to deliver public expenditures to their electoral and functional constituencies. The vast majority of questions deals with narrow sectional or constituency issues which allow deputies to return to their voters with evidence that they have raised their concerns in parliament.
