The Liberal State: Italy's Political System

Question 1

What was Italy’s political system like in the early 20th century?

Answer 1

• Italy was still a fairly new country
• It had only been fully united in 1870, its political system was created at this point
• Its parliamentary system was similar to Britain
• Its constitution based on the formerly independent kingdom of Piedmont

Question 2

When was Piedmont’s constitution created and what rights did it guarantee?

Answer 2

• It was created in 1848
• It guaranteed equality before law
• The right of free assembly
• A free press
• It also set up the constitutional monarchy and elected parliament that formed the basis of Italy’s political system

Question 3

What was the role of the Monarchy at this point and what could he control?

Answer 3

• Unlike Britain the Monarch had wide-ranging political powers
• He could appoint and dismiss government ministers and senators, prime minister included
• He could control foreign policy
• He was the face of the government in times of crisis

Question 4

What was the role of the Prime Minister at this point?

Answer 4

• Head of the government and responsible for the day-to-day running of the country
• Needed the support of parliament to keep his position and propose laws

Question 5

What was the role of Parliament at the time?

Answer 5

• Two chambers in Italian parliament
• The Senate was the upper house
• Senators were appointed by the King for life
• The Chamber of deputies was the lower house
• It was elected every five years and had more political power than the Senate
• Government ministers were chosen from the Chamber of Deputies

Question 6

What was the electorate like at the time?

Answer 6

• The Chamber of Deputies was (in theory) democratically elected
• In reality only a small proportion of the Italian population could vote
• Limitations based on age, property ownership and educational qualifications

Question 7

How many people could vote before 1912 and what did that mean?

Answer 7

• Only 25% of adult men could vote
• This meant most people did not participate in politics before 1912, meaning Italians felt alienated from the political system

Question 8

What is Trasformismo?

Answer 8

• The technique in Italian Liberal politics of creating a flexible coalition from across the political spectrum
• It was made necessary because the system was very elitist, unstable and corrupt
• Political parties did exist but acted more as labels for groups of ambitious men who wanted to gain power
• They often did not have a coherent political ideology

Question 9

Why was Italian political life so unstable? Give an example

Answer 9

• Coalitions fell apart quickly leading to a succession of short-term governments
• In the years 1900-1911, there were 9 governments
• Only 1 lasted more than 2 years

Question 10

What contributed to the lack of unity in government?

Answer 10

• Individual politicians often bribed political opponents
• Those seeking coalitions would offer potential colleagues important jobs or financial incentives
• Most deputies in Parliament to serve local interests so they were not attached to party or faction
• They could be bribed to switch allegiance if offered enough money or a promotion
• The system seemed far removed from ordinary Italians’ lives

Question 11

What political parties were there?

Answer 11

Political parties operated as loose groups rather than clearly defined organisations. The most important groupings were:

• Liberals
• Radicals and Republicans
• Socialists
• Catholics
• Nationalists