 March, 17th, 1861: Creation of the Italian state  1922 : Mussolini seizes the power. Beginning of fascism, centralisation.  1947 : Birth of the Republic. New constitution. 3 elements : - A bicephal executive ; - Bicameralism with equal power between the 2 chambers ; - Constitutional Court.  Beginning of the decentralisation, 40 years to become real. 20 regions (5 with a special statute), nearly 110 provinces, nearly communes  1990 (Law n°142/ 1990) : Reform, transition from a system to another one.

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools B. The Tuscan case: the adoption of a participative democracy act

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools National referendums  The popular veto  Article 75  Submission of a petition  Participation in 50 %  A popular legislative initiative  Article 71

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools Local referendums  Law of 1990  Popular initiative  Associations  Value = mere opinion  Local interest

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools The electronic administration  Emergent notion in 1980  E-poll  True-vote Administrative transparence  Right of access

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools  Radios and local televisions  Radios  1970  Encouraged by the Constitutional court  Televisions  1970  Rapid increase

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools NAIV  90% of the population  Representation  Role of the members  Coordination UIP  1908  Promote the authorities’action  Representation of the members’ interest

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools NUVMC  361 communities of mountain  4201 municipalities  Socio-econonomic development, civil development … IACHCER  Development of Members States  46 regional administrations  33 European countries  Exchange and twinning  Identity  Federalism

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools Civic commissionner  Defence of the interests of the citizen Vote conditions  Community legislation  Local council  Lists

II. The development of Local democracy A. Different tools The right to take an action  For everybody  Extraordinary action  Safeguard of the public order

II. The development of Local democracy B. The Tuscan Case Adoption of a law on participative democracy  « The ways of participation »  Response to the legitimacy crisis  Participative Development  A lot of tools 3 pillars :  Public regional debates  Methodological support & financial support  Strengthening of the times of participation

 Historical explication  The local governments  Democratic progress  Finances  Federalism  Participative Democracy  Instability