The political system. What it is, and how to approach it

1. The political system. What it is, and how to approach it Maurizio Cotta - Luca VerzichelliIl sistema politico italiano Chapter 1

2. Topics of this chapter • A sketch of the central concepts: systems analyses of political life • Systemic theory • Structural-functional theory • Comparative politics • How to approach the Italian political system

3. David Easton: the components of the political system • Political community • Political regime • Values • Institutions • Rules • Political authorities

4. David Easton: the theoretical framework

5. Gabriel Almond: political functions • System functions • Socialization, mobilization, selection, recruitment • Process functions • Interest articulation, interest aggregation, decision making • Policy functions • Extraction, regulation, distribution

6. Gabriel Almond: the theoretical framework

7. Comparative politics: recent trends • Originally (50s-60s): • Political development • Actually: • Beyond the national state: multilevel governance • Analysis of political sub-systems

8. Past researches on Italian politics • In the long run: • Parties and elections • Political cultures • Since the Nineties: • Relationships between justice and politics • Federalism and European integration • New repertories of political participation • Public policies

9. Future researches on Italian politics • Aggregation function: public opinion and party aggregation • Political institutions: presidentialization • Interpretation: the relative weight of domestic and international factors • Normative perspective: researching the better institutional design