This book aims to help the reader understand how Italian politics reached the point where political parties stood as significant obstacles in the way of resolution of its social and economic problems.

James L. Newell is former Professor of Politics at the University of Salford. His recent books include Corruption in Contemporary Politics: A New Travel Guide (2018) and Silvio Berlusconi: A Study in Failure (2019) (both published by Manchester University Press) and the edited volume Europe and the Left: Resisting the Populist Tide (Palgrave Macmillan, forthcoming). He is founder and co-editor of the quarterly journal Contemporary Italian Politics.

1. Introduction: Italian politics in the spring 2020

2. A 'blocked' political system: Politics in the 'First Republic'

3. Revolutions cultural, judicial and political: the deadline and fall of the First Republic

4. The Berlusconi era: The politics of the 'Second Republic'

5. Decline of a celebrity and more: The end of the 'Second Republic'

6. A bridge between two worlds: The XVII legislature

7. The 2018 general election and its aftermath: Italia Quo Vadis?

8. Conclusion