Leading Groups and Local Power in Sicily. From the Allied Landing (7/10/1943) to the End of the "First Republic” (1992-1994)

From the Allied Landings on July 1943 until the end of the so-called “First Republic" the history of Sicily was the history of Italy. Sicily determined the fates of anti-fascist Italy, re-united Italy, republican and democratic Italy. The Island had an important role in national policy and economy at least until the end of the 1980s. The region which has been defined "less than a nation, but more than a region" has undoubtedly lived a "special" historical experience which made it a laboratory of policy formulas for Italy. The aim of this research is to study: the re-birth of parties in Sicily after the Second World War; their contribution to the foundation of the new Republican State; the quality of the leadership they expressed; the way in which this leadership was able to convey instances from the periphery towards the centre, helping to make vital the democracy of the new Republic. The concepts leading the research are the relationship between centre and periphery, the links between local powers and central institutions, the ability of periphery to interact and "drive" central policy.