Italian General Election of 2008

JAMES L. NEWELL is Professor of Politics at the University of Salford, UK. His recent books include Parties and Democracy in Italy; Italian Politics: Adjustment under Duress (with M. Bull); The Italian General Election of 2006 (ed.). He is co-editor of European Political Science and co-convenor of the UK Political Studies Association's (PSA's) Italian Politics Specialist Group.

• Introduction: A Guide to the Election and 'Instructions for Use'; J.L.Newell PART I: THE CONTEXT The Political Context 2006 – 2008; A.Mastropaolo The Economic Context; M.Capriati The EU and International Contexts; G.A.Fois PART II: THE RUN-UP TO THE ELECTION The Parties of the Centre Left; I.Favretto The Parties of the Centre Right: Many Oppositions, One Leader; D.Albertazzi & D.McDonnell The Processes of Alliance Formation; M.Donovan PART III: THE CAMPAIGN Campaign Issues and Themes; D.Campus The Low Intensity Media Campaign and a Vote That Comes From Far Back; F.Roncarolo The New Technologies: The First Internet 2.0 Election; C.Cepernich PART IV: THE OUTCOME Italian Voters: Berlusconi's Victory and the 'New' Italian Party System; A.Chiaramonte A Different Legislature? The Parliamentary Scene Following the 2008 Elections; F.Russo & L.Verzichelli The Formation of the Fourth Berlusconi Government; G.Pasquino Conclusion: A Watershed Election?; J.L.Newell