Conclusions

Abstract

The final chapter returns to the starting questions set out in Chapters 1 and 2, and summarizes the empirical results emerging from research beyond the analysis of the impact of the crisis in terms of traditional voting behaviour and growing electoral volatility. In doing so, it ironically highlights how, on the one hand, the traditional parties adapt to the new context and, on the other hand, how they coexist with the new protest parties. The concluding remarks also emphasize the partial reshaping of cleavages and the relevance of the establishment vs. anti-establishment cleavage for the emergence and success of the neo-populist parties. Finally, the additional empirical results show, then, two final questions. First, how because of the weakening of the three main channels of representation those became relatively more flexible and potentially interchangeable with citizens making use of vote, protest or more informally interest channel (see Chapter 4). Second, the patterns of change, already singled out and discussed in Chapter 2, eventually and counterintuitively imply a relaunch of the partisan channel. Of course, one where the old traditional mass parties belong to the past is impossible to be revitalized, and parties are rather characterized by leadership and digital technologies.