Individuals vs parties: Changes in the political cultures of Italian younger politicians

In the last few decades the political situation in Italy has gone through deep changes. As far as younger generations are concerned, if during the 80’s Italian studies (Cavalli et al.) registered a drop in youth attention towards politics and a renewed evaluation of the private sphere, in the 90’s and the first years of the new Millennium what seems to be a deep process of changes has started to take place. Sociologists have started to wonder whether young people are retreating from politics or if they are simply activating new forms of participation. The paper will analyze political attitudes and values both of young politicians and of young people who have not chosen politics as an important part of their lives. The first results show us that the national political bribe scandal (Tangentopoli) in the early ‘90’s, the Berlin wall crack, and the new International and Italian political asset  has had a deep impact on both groups and on both political sides, making us speak of a generational bond (Mannheim).

Since the 90’s younger generations have started to look at politics with growing contempt. Even those who have chosen politics as an important part of their lives and to candidate themselves, seem distant from political parties. The political socialization is growingly carried out by agencies other then parties or trade unions. We will analyze the implications and effects of this new political culture on the government of local institutions.