Italy Today represents one of the most comprehensive examinations of contemporary Italy. It is a provocative and an innovative collection that aims to highlight the current âe~crisisâe(tm) of the country through an analysis of several different âe~dark shadowsâe(tm) of contemporary Italian society.

Italy already had a long history of âe~unsolvedâe(tm) issues, several chronic problems and contradictions that have been ignored for a very long time, during which they have assumed dramatic proportions and gravity. The peninsula has now become the âe~Sick Man of Europeâe(tm), a country facing a veritable decline also caused by apparent incapacity and difficulties of the ruling economic, political and social elites.

Discussions include:

• an evaluation of the current predicaments of the political system
• analysis of emerging mafias, including new powerful crime organizations such as âe~Ndrangheta
• issues surrounding the ongoing presence of Fascism
• examination of the recent xenophobic tensions
• discussion of problems associated with the missed opportunity of the EU funding, and the increasing regional economic gaps
• outline of the systemic troubles of Italyâe(tm)s economic and industrial system.

Written by leading experts in the field and covering a wide range of topics, this collection is essential reading for all those seeking to understand the issues and problems that are facing contemporary Italy.