The waning of the two giants: the electoral decline of the Italian Christian Democratic Party and the Italian Communist Party

Italy is currently experiencing profound political change. One aspect of this change involves the decline in electoral support for the Italian Christian Democratic Party (DC) and the Italian Communist Party (PCI), now the Democratic Party of the Left (PDS). Signs of the electoral decline of both parties began to appear in the late 1970s and early 1980s and accelerated in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The pr imar y purpos e of th is thes is is to expla i n the electoral decline of the DC and PCI/PDS in the last decade. The central question being addressed in this thesis is the following: What factors contributed to the decline in electoral support for the DC and PCI? In addition, the thesis attempts to better comprehend the change in magni tude and direction of the Italian party system. The thesis examines the central question within an analytical framework that consists of models explaining electoral change in advanced industrial democracies and in Italy. A review of the literature on electoral change in Italy reveals three basic models: structural (socioeconomic and demographic factors), subcultural (the decline of the Catholic and Communist subcultures), and pol i tical (factors such as party strategy, and the crisis and collapse of communism in iv Eastern Europe and the former soviet Union and the end to the Cold War). Significant structural changes have occurred in Italy, but they do not invariably hurt or benefit either party. The Catholic and Communist subcultures have declined in size and strength, but only gradually. More importantly, the study discovers that the decline of communism and party strategy adversely affected the electoral performances of the DC and PC!. The basic conclusion is that political factors primarily and directly contributed to the decline in electoral support for both parties, while societal factors (structural and subcultural changes) played a secondary and indirect role. While societal factors do not contribute directly to the decline in electoral support for both parties, they do provide the context within which both parties operated. In addition, the Italian party system is becoming more fragmented and traditional political parties are losing electoral support to new political movements, such as the Lega Nord (LN-Northern League) and the Rete (Network). The growing importance of the North-South and centre-periphery cleavages suggests that the Italian party system, which is traditionally based on religious and ideological cleavages, may be changing.

From protest to powerlessness : a Marxist analysis of the Ontario NDP /

Using Marxist state theory as an analytical framework, this thesis explains the problems faced by the Ontario New Democratic Party government (1990-1995) in implementing a social democratic agenda. Not only was the government constrained in its ability to implement progressive policy, but it was also pushed to implement a Social Contract (involving legislated wage cuts to public sector employees) that alienated the party's base of support, making it more difficult for the party to organize in the future. Although this study relies predominantly on a reinterpretation of existing research on the topic, some primary research is used in the analysis, including interviews with members of the labour movement and former MPPs and analysis of the news media's treatment of the party/ government. Historical and class analytical perspectives are used to explain the evolution of the ONDP's structure and policies, as well as to assess the relative strength of the working class and its ability to support a social democratic political agenda. It was found that the ONDP' s unwillingness to develop a long term plan for social democracy, and its inability to act as a mass party or to build a strong working class movement, made it more difficult for the party to succeed when it formed the government. Moreover, the class nature of the capitalist state, along with pressure exerted by a well mobilized capitalist class, worked to limit the government' s options.

Gwladys Cunningham fonds, 1933-1934, 1940, 1942-1968, n.d.

Gwladys Cunningham was the Secretary-Treasurer of the Lincoln N.D.P. Ladies Group as well as involved in the CCF [Co-operative Commonwealth Federation] branch in Thorold. Additional Cunningham family members may also have been involved in the activities of the Thorold Branch. The Thorold branch of the Ontario division of The Co-operative Commonwealth Federation held its first meeting on June 15, 1933 at the home of Mark Kriluck. The branch became an official unit of the CCF when it was granted a charter in August of that same year. Officers elected at the annual meeting in October were W.G. Campbell, President, Jane Griffiths, Vice-President, James Logan Secretary and Mark Kriluck Treasurer. In 1960 the CCF voted to officially change their name to The New Democratic Party. The branch later became known as the Lincoln and Welland Riding Association of The New Democratic Party. Rare publications directly related to the CCF and the NDP remain with the fonds. Some publications were removed and placed in the general stack collection. See below for a list of books that were removed from the fonds and placed in the general collection.

Letter - Ed Broadbent to Donald Ziraldo, 1987

The letter discusses the international level of Inniskillin wine and high standards of Canadian wine. John Crosbie's remarks about Canadian wines are also mentioned. The letter is dated 19 January, 1987 from the office of the New Democratic Party in the House of Commons.

Letter - Bob Rae to Donald Ziraldo, 1995

A letter from Bob Rae, leader of the NDP, to Donald Ziraldo, discussing the book Anatomy of a Winery. Rae thanks Ziraldo and goes on to mention the significant role Inniskillin Winery has played in making the Ontario Wine industry so successful. Rae also mentions the partnership of the NDP with the industry in order to do "restructuring" and "become internationally competitive." 21 September, 1995

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 24 December 1919

The letter mentions that Arthur is located in Shelter Bay. There is mention of a Christmas Eve party and the guests that will attend. The letter is labelled number 81.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 13 July 1917

The letter describes a party with family at the Pell Tree Inn where they had dinner and dancing. She also mentions that Arthur was made an instructor of topography and may soon do his examinations for second lieutenant.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 16 January 1919

The letter describes how Eleanor Celeste is a substitute teacher at this time. She also mentions a party held by her Uncle Dick in New York. Her uncle purchases a kewpie doll for her and each of the other girls worth six dollars. The letter is labelled number 216.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 26 January 1918

There are two letters included, one from Eleanore Celeste, the second letter from Arthur Schmon's parents. The first letter from E.C. mentions that she is staying at Arthur's parents home for the night so that she can attend a party close by. The second letter is written by his mother (as mentioned in the letter from E.C.) and reads: " Arthur dear, We are very glad to have Celeste with us tonight. It takes a little of our blues away. I am so disappointed that you are not coming home right away, but I hope and pray that our Heavenly Father will watch over you and bring you safely back to us. We will pray for you. Your loving Mother and Father.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 20 April 1919

The letter begins with mention of Easter. Eleanore Celeste then mentions the card party that she became an engagement party when Madelyn Fitze announced her engagement to Harry Beckingham. This letter is labelled number 263.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 25 January 1919

The letter mentions how much Eleanore Celeste would like to be cozy in her home and how she does not approve of large mansions for her family. The letter then mentions that the military will be looking for volunteers to go to Russia. She then describes the dinner party she attended by "Uncle Dick". This letter is labelled number 219.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, 29 December 1917

Eleanore Celeste describes her previous day: Studies, shopping for Mother, bridge party, out with girls and Uncle Dick. They attended the play "pearls" starring Robert Edison. The rest of the letter is written on New Year's Eve at twelve o'clock. She recounts last New Year's Eve.

Letter - E.C. Schmon to Arthur A. Schmon, Monday Afternoon

The letter reads:" Dearest, How do you like this little surprise party? It is the latest way of sewing for the Red Cross - You remember I told you I was to meet Maud at two o'clock this afternoon, and we were going down to make surgical dressings? Well, thru a little misunderstanding about our meeting place, we missed each other; so I returned home. Mother thought I looked tired and insisted upon my taking a nap. I cam up to my room, and for an hour I've been trying to sleep, but "thought"(???) has prevented it. Artie dear, I have such an awful attack of the blues and while I was lying there trying to fight it, and also wishing that I knew your address - for I felt so much like writing to you, the thought came to me, that I could send a letter to you thru Chaunce, if I knew his company number. Hence - ensued a little chat with Mrs. Leake on the phone, and receiving the desired information, rushed to my desk, and - thus endeth the little tale. You are just about reaching Washington now, and I bet you are tired after that dreadfully monotonous trip. Take good care of yourself my "___"(?) Good luck, and lots of other wishes. Lovingly "Me". P.S. Write real, real soon and thank Chaunce for playing postman. L.