tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post114503196112236103..comments2023-10-25T12:49:50.074+01:00Comments on The Old Socialist Unity Blog - we have moved: Cashmere CommunismANhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1145872877466993982006-04-24T11:01:00.000+01:002006-04-24T11:01:00.000+01:00And additional to that the bizarre political going...And additional to that the bizarre political goings on over the election are down to the fact that Italian society is genuinely divided over Berlusconi with just under half wanting him in and half wanting him out. Rather than some problem with the system.Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1145802246523191082006-04-23T15:24:00.000+01:002006-04-23T15:24:00.000+01:00As an aside, there is an interesting issue here ab...As an aside, there is an interesting issue here about electoral systems.<BR/>An old favorite criticism of PR is that the Italain system produces sataelmate governemnts, but what is most notable in contrast to the recent British elections, is that there is no triangulation to concentrate only on the issues that effect swing voters.<BR/>Instead Every party has as a big incentive to get out the biggest vote they can, by concentrating on their core supporters. Much more democratic.ANhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05901425044840795347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1145586749213990272006-04-21T03:32:00.000+01:002006-04-21T03:32:00.000+01:00Dear Mr Bad Matthew,sorry for not replying to this...Dear Mr Bad Matthew,<BR/><BR/>sorry for not replying to this earlier - I wanted to chat to my sources about this to get it right... or as right as I can.<BR/><BR/>Currently this is an open question - but there is an understanding that the workplace legislation that Berlusconi had enacted will be repealed, and the PRC, I think, will take this as a base line plus a move towards more progressive taxation.<BR/><BR/>If even this doesn't happen (or something like it) then there is no point in continuing the partnership - but they will press for more I'm sure.<BR/><BR/>Also they are in a kind of one foot in one foot out approach in that they are not going to take high office in the government (which they could) and so can maintain a respectful distance - and therefore protest and organise against things they don't like.<BR/><BR/>But there is a difference form the last Prodi led government in that, as I understand it, the PRC did not run in the same bloc as Prodi and came on board (and eventually left) without undermining their electoral mandate. This time they ran with Prodi and co and therefore they have more of a commitment to maintain the coalition. I think.<BR/><BR/>Of course it will be a few weeks yet before a really clear picture of the new government emerges - even without Berlusconi's sulky petulance.Jim Jeppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17410387006098326671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21995284.post-1145275315466824662006-04-17T13:01:00.000+01:002006-04-17T13:01:00.000+01:00What are the specific demands being made, or likel...What are the specific demands being made, or likely to made by Bertinotti and the PRC?badmatthewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16655688008055817617noreply@blogger.com