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Existing models for the formation of governmental coalitions do not score high in predictability for Belgium. A more complex model, covering 3 fields, 7 vectors, & 1 strong actor among a limited number of decisionmakers, fits much better. A prerequisite for a coalition is a majority within the elitist parties in Parliament. Favoring coalition formation are: the decision-making capabilities of the cabinet; elite consensus on the basic values prominent in Belgian society; similarities of program among the political parties; & their capacity to manipulate issues. Hampering coalition formation are: the development of partisan options; the polarization of issues; & internal dissensions within the political parties. This model stresses the combined action of strong structures & actors, which is paramount in Belgian society. 2 Figures. Modified HA

The authors investigate the impact of direct democracy on aspects of the political process in Switzerland. They dwell in particular on the concrete use of the instruments of direct democracy by organized groups of citizens, and on the effects of this use on collective protest movements (or social movements) at the local level. The essay divides into three parts. The first briefly describes the institutions of direct democracy. The second deals with the concrete use of the instruments of direct democracy. The third examines the effects of direct democracy on the political process and on social movements. The authors highlight the paradox of direct democracy, at both the local and national level, between consensus and polarization with respect to the action of social movements.

Starting from an analysis of the relationship between cognitive variables (such as the "level of interest in politics") & evaluative-affective variables (in particular, individual evaluations of political leaders), this article explores the perception that different segments of the electorate had of Silvio Berlusconi & of his Center-Left opponent Francesco Rutelli. Focus is on the degree of popularity of the two candidates & voters' opinions of their personal & political qualities. These two aspects of the candidate evaluation process are taken into account in both relational & diachronic terms, the former with special attention to the concept of "coalition belonging" that applies the classic notion of partisanship to the new main cleavage in Italian electoral politics, & the latter monitoring the evolution of voters' attitudes toward the candidates & identifying four main effects of the electoral campaign: "polarization," "involvement gap," "vedette," & "disenchantment.". 19 Tables, 1 Figure, 20 References. Adapted from the source document.

The article provides a systematic assessment of the Italian political transition through the results of three national elections, from 1994 to 2001, covering a wide variety of topics. In particular, the residual polarization assumed by the previous literature is found theoretically flawed & empirically disproved. The more recent center-periphery cleavage has evaporated with the demise of the Northern League. Far from being "winning," the political extremes are stable or losing; parties of the center, in turn, are declining at a faster pace than in comparable democracies, & their numbers are, by 2001, among the smallest, whereas they were the strongest 10 years ago. As a consequence, the Italian case shows the whole set of standard conditions for bipolar, centripetal competitions, though two problems remain: fragmentation, which might be cured with the electoral reform, but is not the main, nor the most deviant feature, of the present system; & a deep destructuration crisis, whose indicators distinguish more sharply the Italian parties from their European counterparts, & whose effects might be felt for a long time & significantly depress the system performance of the main political actors. 13 Tables, 55 References. Adapted from the source document.