Search for Good Government: Understanding the Paradox of Italian Democracy

Search for Good Government: Understanding the Paradox of Italian Democracy
ISBN-10
0773520244
ISBN-13
9780773520240
Category
Political Science
Pages
313
Language
English
Published
2000-05-26
Publisher
McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP
Author
Filippo Sabetti

Description

Observers have frequently noted that Italians seem skilled at many things - but not at good government. As a people Italians are said to have flair, panache, and tenacity, while as a polity Italy is in shambles. This paradoxical view of politics can be found in Italian history as far back as Guicciardini and Machiavelli. Nor is it unique to Italy, for the social dilemma of "rational individuals and irrational society" has, since Hobbes, produced a large literature on social theory and comparative politics, as well as numerous questionable suggestions for policy. In The Search for Good Government Filippo Sabetti examines Italian politics to reassess habitual presumptions in comparative politics, opening new territory in the art and science of institutional analysis.

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