Les hommes politiques d'affaires. Partis politiques et corruption

Abstract

Political Parties and Corruption. Donatella Délia Porta [61-75]. Based on the (recently available to researchers) large documentation produced by judges' inquiries on political corruption in Italy, the author shows that, at least from the eighties, the «corrupt exchanges» have transformed the organizational structure of political parties (especially DC and PSI) as well as their major political functions. The development of secret political activities have influenced the ways the political personnel is selected, weakened some of political parties main functions. The logics of political decision have therefore resulted more from «invisible» politics than from «visible» politics. This phenomenon may explain the current legitimacy crisis of Italy's «historical parties.