Suchergebnisse

This essay examines the outcome of the elections in single-member districts, with special attention to changes in the structure, level, & different arenas (plurality & proportional) of electoral competition. The main thesis is that, following the renewed alliance between the Polo & the Lega Nord & the divisions of the Ulivo, the disastrous results of the Center-Left coalition were expected. However, because of increasing bipolarity & competitiveness in single-member districts & in parliament, there is a tendency toward reequilibrium. In fact, the Ulivo's performance has been most ineffective because it has gained votes in the North, where it was useless, & has lost votes in the competitive districts of the South. This article explores the perspectives of the electoral competition according to the persistent instability of the political offer, new changes of alliances & the fluid structure of the parties. The last section deals with the "mysterious" question of the difference between plurality & proportional votes, which seems to assign a bonus to the Center-Left coalition, but is an indication of the extreme weakness & destructuration of the Ulivo's parties. The author concludes by discussing some hypotheses about this phenomenon. 16 Tables, 3 Figures, 23 References. Adapted from the source document.

This paper investigates the reasons for different electoral performances of ethnoregionalist parties in Western Europe. The starting point of the research is provided by a short review of theoretical literature about the emergence & success of ethnoregional mobilization, by which some limits of existing explanations are highlighted. In particular the widespread Vision of these parties as representatives of ethnic minorities seems unable to explain the cyclical pattern of electoral success of many of them & recent emergence of new ones in regions that are not provided with strong & visible elements of cultural distinctiveness. Ethnoregional parties -- the argument goes -- may also perform a role of challengers of major parties & attract portions of their disappointed electorate, politicising themes not directly related to the core ethnic issue, at least if & when some characteristics of the electoral competition allow that. The statistical analysis performed in the last paragraph confirms that these parties are sometimes able to act as catalysts of dissatisfaction towards established parties, & that several features of party competition are important explicative factors of ethnoregional vote, beyond the traditional identity & economic variables. 5 Tables, 2 Figures, 50 References. Adapted from the source document.

Summary in English.