Cultura politica e anomalia italiana

Abstract

In this paper, we analyse analytical richness and polysemy of the political culture concept through the main theoretical and empirical contributions, favouring a thematic rather than a chronological perspective. In this critical review, in particular, we talk about: political culture theories and traditional definitions; subcultural perspectives (based on local dimensions and on relationship between territory, politics and culture); and those definitions that pertain each component of the political culture concept, such as trust, values and capital stock. Finally, political culture is presented as the product of continuous interaction between citizens and politics, in the same manner in which it is acted out by its protagonists. Anomalies italian “Risorgimento” can be found, under various aspects, in our recent past as well as in the present, highlighting a series of unresolved knots, difficult to sort out.