Lessons 13–14 · 2 lessons · Sh. Ergashev, B. Xodjayev, J. Abdullayev. World History (1991–2017): textbook for Grade 11 of secondary schools and for students of secondary specialised and vocational institutions. 1st edition. “Turon-Iqbol”, Tashkent, 2018
14
Italy, 1991–2017
Textbook: pp. 64–67
GoalDescribe Italy’s political crisis in the 1990s, its economic problems and its development in the 21st century.
New words
Mani pulite (“Clean Hands”), the anti-corruption investigations that began in 1992 · «Mani pulite»proportional representation, where seats are divided according to the share of votes · proporsional saylov tizimipublic debt, the total debt of the state · davlat qarzia technocratic government, made up mainly of experts rather than party politicians · texnokratik hukumat
Explanation
The “Mani pulite” (Clean Hands) investigation that began in Italy in 1992 uncovered bribery involving leading politicians and businessmen, and as a result the Christian Democrat and Socialist parties, which had dominated for many years, fell apart. After the referendum of 1993 the electoral law was changed and proportional representation was replaced by a mixed system. Silvio Berlusconi was prime minister in 1994 for the first time, then in 2001–2006 and 2008–2011; Romano Prodi led the government in 1996–1998 and 2006–2008 and brought the country into the euro. In 2011, when worries about public debt grew, a technocratic government was formed; in the following years Italy struggled with a public debt close to 130–140 per cent of GDP and slow growth. In March 2020 Italy introduced the first large-scale restrictions in Europe because of COVID-19, and later became one of the largest recipients of the EU recovery fund. In 2022 Giorgia Meloni became the country’s first woman prime minister.
Worked examples
In 1992 the anti-mafia judges Giovanni Falcone (23 May) and Paolo Borsellino (19 July) were killed. This caused sharp public anger and led to a stronger fight against the mafia.
North and south: northern Italy is rich in industry and services, while the south has higher unemployment and lower incomes. This gap continues to affect state policy and elections.
Class activity
On the board write the difference between “before 1992” and “after 1992” in Italian politics in two columns, then decide to which period the party name given by the teacher belongs.
Practice
1
When did the “Mani pulite” investigation begin and what was its main result?
In 1992; leading politicians and businessmen were accused of bribery and the traditional parties collapsed.
2
About what percentage of GDP is Italy’s public debt?
About 135 per cent (in the range of 130–140 per cent).
3
Who was Italy’s first woman prime minister and in which year did she take office?
Giorgia Meloni, 2022.
4
Why have governments in Italy often changed?
There are many parties in parliament and the coalitions were fragile; internal disagreement quickly led to government crises.