L’opposizione parlamentare in Italia. Dall’antiberlusconismo all’antipolitica, di E. De Giorgi (2016)

Parliamentary opposition is a key actor in democratic political systems. Although opposition parties are often unable to actually shape policy-making outcomes, the conduct of those political groups that are present in parliament but do not participate in the government may be crucial for the functioning of legislative assemblies and, more in general, for the overall quality of democracy. Except in cases of minority government, executives do not need the votes of opposition members to ensure the passage of their measures in parliament; however, even when a government controls a majority of parliamentary seats, a minimum level of cooperation from the opposition is commonly required to guarantee adherence to the rules of the legislative process. Moreover, opposition parties may play a crucial role in the democratic circuit of representation and accountability, as they voice political opinions not represented in the government, expose the latter to public challenge and oversight, and offer alternatives to the policies implemented by the incumbent cabinet. The behavior of legislative minorities may also reveal important information about the type of democracy a given country resembles most. In spite of its relevance, parliamentary opposition is a rather neglected topic in the political science literature. Much greater attention has usually been paid to the study of executives, especially in parliamentary regimes like Italy and other European countries. In this respect, however, Italy offers a particularly interesting case to be investigated, as the role of the Italian parliamentary opposition and its relations with the government have dramatically changed in the last 25 years. Aiming to fill this gap, Elisabetta De Giorgi’s book focuses on parliamentary opposition in Italy, analyzing its behavior during the lawmaking process and its overall function in the political system. Not only the author discusses how the role of the opposition in the Italian parliament has evolved over time; she also provides a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding the patterns of opposition behavior observed in the so-called bipolar phase (1994-2013) of Italian political history. In addition, the author analyzes the characteristics and actions of Italian opposition parties in the most recent period (i.e. after 2013) in light of some fundamental developments that are currently affecting the structure of party systems in Europe. Among these, the ever growing Europeanization of policymaking, the repercussions of the economic crisis, the unprecedented electoral success of anti-establishment parties and the emergence of new dimensions of party competition.