Presidentialization, Italian Style
Describes Italy as an "ideal type" for the presidentialization of a political system. Although the changing role of the state has contributed to the presidentialization of Italy's political system, greater attention is given to the crucial role played by the deterioration of traditional social cleavage politics & the media's proactive campaign for institutional reform. Although these elements came to a head during the 1990s, the process toward presidentialization has been under way in the executive arena for more than 20 years. The gradual strengthening of the executive; the emergence of prime ministerial dominance; the movement for electoral reform; & the shift from a partified to a presidentialized polity are described. A stronger executive, together with a media-dominated political arena & the new electoral law, resulted in a majoritarian form of politics that was unlike anything the reformers expected. However, it is concluded that the trend towards presidentialization in Italy does not necessarily indicate that a definite regime change has occurred. Prospects for the future are discussed. 40 References. J. Lindroth