ABSTRACT
This book provides an analysis of Italian politics and its transformation since the early 1990s. The Introduction draws parallels between the changing landscape of Manchester, UK, and the political landscape of Italy. Just as Manchester evolved from a decaying city into a post-industrial metropolis resembling Manhattan, Italy experienced a series of political upheavals that reshaped its political landscape. The book argues that these events marked a genuine watershed moment in Italian politics, with profound changes in institutions, political parties, voting behaviour, organized interests, corruption, crime, justice administration and Italy’s position in the world. The book explores the historical context and the impact of globalization and European integration on Italian politics. The book also aims to explain the complexities of Italian politics to those less familiar with it. Finally, it reflects on the state of Italian democracy and offers predictions for the future, expressing concern about potential democratic backsliding under the newly elected right-wing coalition government led by Giorgia Meloni.
