Crisis as a permanent condition?

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Italy faces a pressing need for fundamental institutional reforms to enhance its international competitiveness and improve policy-making efficiency. This sentiment is echoed by political observers and actors alike, especially in light of the significant parliamentary election results of February 2013 and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's ambitious efforts to reform established institutional frameworks. However, hopes for a major socio-political shift were already dampened in the 1990s when the collapse of the party system and rampant corruption scandals led to expectations of comprehensive reforms to address the structural issues exposed. Despite these challenges, substantial change in Italy's political institutional system remains elusive. This volume explores various dynamics within the Italian political landscape from an interdisciplinary perspective, considering the socio-political history and the configuration of its political elites. It provides a deep understanding of the reform obstacles entrenched in the system and presents critical insights into potential avenues for institutional change, as discussed by prominent international experts in Italian politics. Contributions come from a range of scholars, offering a comprehensive analysis of Italy's ongoing reform challenges.