Short description:

In this intriguing book, professors Fasano, Natale and Newell offer a comprehensive and compelling discussion of the European left's evolution. As the left grapples with its historical legacy and attempts to connect with voters in a changing political landscape, the authors examine the journey of the Italian Democratic Party (PD) from its inception to the present day, shedding light on its evolution and struggles. Drawing a fascinating parallel with the UK's New Labour, the book explores the challenges faced by these parties as they navigate their post-communist heritage. A timely exploration of social-democratic politics in an era of populism, this book is a must-read for political enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone interested in the changing landscape of the left in all the European countries.

Luciano M. Fasano?is professor of Politics at the University of Milan, Italy. He is founding partner of Candidate and Leader Selection, the?Italian Society of Political Science?s Standing group on the Italian primaries.?Recent books:?L?ultimo partito. Dieci anni di Partito Democratico?(Giappichelli, 2017);?Il Partito Democratico dei Nativi?(Epoké, 2019);?Il sistema politico italiano (Laterza, 2019).

Paolo Natale?is professor of Political Sociology at the University of Milan, Italy. He is an editor for the newspaper?la Repubblica and the web magazines?Gli Stati Generali?and?Fondazione Hume, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Italian Society on Electoral Studies.?Recent books:?Politica a 5 stelle?(Feltrinelli, 2013);?L?ultimo partito (Giappichelli, 2017);?Movimento 5 stelle: dall?opposizione al governo?(Mimesis, 2018); Sondaggi (Laterza, 2022).

James L. Newell?is former professor of Politics at the University of Salford, UK, and currently adjunct professor at the University of Urbino, Italy. He is founding co-editor of the journal?Contemporary Italian Politics?and co-founder of the UK Political Studies Association?s Italian Politics Specialist Group. Recent books:?Corruption in Contemporary Politics: A New Travel Guide?(Manchester University Press, 2018);?Silvio Berlusconi: A Study in Failure?(Manchester University Press, 2019);?European Integration and the Crisis of Social Democracy?(Palgrave Macmillan, 2022).

Long description:

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1: European Socialist Parties Trends. Where Social-democratic Parties are going after the Berlin Wall Crash.- Chapter 2: A Brief History of the Italian Democratic Party and its (declining) support.- Chapter 3: New Labour and the Italian PD.- Chapter 4: Ten Secretaries in Fifteen years: Leadership and Organizational Changes in a Party Victim of Cronos? Syndrome.- Chapter 5: Back to the future: Reflections on prospects for the European left.