The Italian political system and the impact of proportional representation (1919-1922)

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to question how much the proportional system launched in 1919 affected the Italian political system in the post-war period. The elections of 1919 and 1921 determined the success of mass parties, the end of liberal hegemony and a tripolar situation. Political violence, ambiguity of electoral reform, immaturity of the party system and crisis of the ruling class in the management of relations between the centre and the periphery contributed to the collapse of the liberal State.