To cite the article: Emanuele, V., Improta, M., Marino, B., and Verzichelli, L. (2022) Going technocratic? Diluting governing responsibility in electorally turbulent times, West European Politics, DOI: 10.1080/01402382.2022.2095494 The article, published on West European Politics, can be accessed here Abstract Technocracy has recently triggered growing scholarly interest, especially as an alternative form of ruling to both party government and populism. In the context of weakened parties-citizens links and increasing external constraints faced by Western European ruling parties, technocratic appointments might help deal with...

The article was published on Italian Political Science can be accessed here. Abstract In recent times, technocratic transformations occurring in the governmental arena of European political systems have prompted growing scholarly interest. This study aims to contribute to this flourishing research agenda by examining the features of Italian technocratic ministers, the underpinnings of their government involvement, and the trajectories they have followed after ruling responsibility from 1948 to 2021. The main findings of the study show that: (a) there is a clear gendered pattern in technocratic appointments; (b) university professors are...

To cite the article: Trastulli, F. (2022). «Fence-Building» or «Preservation»: The Paths to Social Democratic Nationalist Position-Taking in Western Europe (2008-2018). Polis 2/2022, 189-218. The article was published on Polis can be accessed here. Abstract Nationalism is generally seen as an issue owned by «traditional-authoritarian-nationalist», typically right-wing parties. However, data on electoral manifestos by the Manifesto Project shows that other formations too adopt nationalist positions. This includes a party family such as Western European social democracy, which traditionally opposed such stances and, as a result, has...

To cite the article: Andrea Capati, Marco Improta & Federico Trastulli (2022) COVID-19 and party competition over the EU: Italy in Early Pandemic Times, European Politics and Society, DOI: 10.1080/23745118.2022.2095170. The article was published on European Politics and Society can be accessed here. Abstract Despite receiving much attention in the literature, existing analyses on the impact of Covid-19 on European societies and politics do not investigate the consequences for party competition over the European Union (EU) dimension. To this end, this article asks whether the pandemic affected the salience of...

To cite the article: Trastulli F (2022) More Left or Left No More? An In-depth Analysis of Western European Social Democratic Parties' Emphasis on Traditional Economic Left Goals (1944–2021). Front. Polit. Sci. 4:873948. doi: 10.3389/fpos.2022.873948. The article is open access and can be accessed here. Trastulli FPS 06/2022Download Abstract The ideological evolution of Western European social democratic parties has received considerable scholarly attention over the decades. The most widespread view concerns the alleged programmatic moderation and convergence with the mainstream right of this...