04871 - Italian Political System

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide an advanced understanding of the structural and procedural characteristics of the Italian political system, also from a historical perspective. By the end of the course, the student will know the main features of the functioning of the Italian political system (with particular reference to the interactive dynamics between political actors, institutions, and voters), having developed the ability to use the main theoretical tools of political science to analyze the Italian political system.

Course contents

The course focuses on the following topics:

- the concept of "political system" and contemporary approaches to its study;

- the historical dimension: democratic transition and consolidation, territorial cleavages;

- political parties, party systems, and electoral regimes;

- political culture and voting behavior;

- the institutional framework and decision-making processes of the central government: the President of the Republic,  the parliament,  the executive branch;

- regional and local governments;

- the judiciary, admnistration of justice and politics;

- the 2022 national elections.

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

Cotta M. e Verzichelli L. (2020), Il sistema politico italiano, Bologna, Il Mulino, quarta edizione.

* Schadee H., Segatti P., Vezzoni C. (2019), L'apocalisse della democrazia italiana, Bologna, Il Mulino, Capitoli 1 e 8.

* Garcia D. (2023), The italian parliamentary election of 2022: the populist radical right takes of charge, in "West European Politics", vol. 46, no. 5, pp. 1030-1048.

* Vassallo S. e Verzichelli L. (2023), Il bipolarismo asimmetrico: l'Italia al voto dopo il decennio populista, Bologna, Il Mulino, Introduzione, capitoli 1, 2, 3, 5, Conclusioni.

Please note that * texts are available on www.sba.unibo.it.

Teaching methods

Lectures. Links to institutional websites. Readings and collective discussion of short texts (newspapers articles and excerpts from academic essays).

Assessment methods

Attending students:

First written exam (open-ended questions): 40%.

Second written exam (open-ended questions): 40%.

Short oral exam on the whole programme: 20%.

Non attending students:

Oral exam on the whole programme

 

The exams, both written and oral, aim to assess:

- the knowledge of the reference texts (score: up to 25)

- the ability to make appropriate connections between the various parts of the program (score: up to 28)

- the appropriate use of theories and concepts that demonstrate the understanding of the actual dynamics in the Italian case, with particular reference to the interactions between political actors, institutions, and voters (score: up to 30*).

Note: Attendance is not compulsory for the course, but it is strongly recommended.

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives

 

Teaching tools

Slides

Office hours

See the website of Patrizia Pederzoli