Recent Italian political life has been transformed by the demise of the Italian Communist Party, the growth of the federalist Northern Leagues and the collapse of the Christian Democrats, the Socialists and their government allies in the wake of the Tangentopoli (Kickback City) scandals. The New Italian Republic charts the breakdown of the old party system and examines the changed political climate that allowed Silvio Berlusconi and his allies to emerge as the new political masters of Italy. The sections of the book are organised in such a way as to combine up to date information with reflection on longer term trends and problems. This book will be of interest to both students and scholars of West European Politics, Comparative Politics and Italian studies as well as the general reader who wishes to make sense of the contemporary Italian political landscape.