Stabilismo

Stabilismo refers to a political strategy primarily associated with the Italian Republic, particularly during the post-World War II era and the First Republic. It describes a system of governance characterized by frequent government changes and short-lived cabinets, yet a remarkable degree of continuity in the underlying political majority and policy direction. This phenomenon was largely driven by the dominance of the Christian Democracy party and its alliances, which, despite internal reshuffles and coalition adjustments, consistently formed the core of governing coalitions.

The term implies a deliberate choice to maintain a stable political balance through frequent, often superficial, government changes rather than through fundamental shifts in power or policy. This approach was seen by some as a mechanism to prevent radical political realignments or the rise of opposition forces, particularly the Italian Communist Party. Critics, however, argued that stabilismo led to political instability, inefficiency, and a lack of decisive action, as governments lacked the time and mandate to implement significant reforms. The constant churn of prime ministers and ministers, while the broader political landscape remained largely unchanged, became a defining feature of Italian politics for decades, until the major political upheavals of the early 1990s that led to the collapse of the First Republic.