Trajectories in and of Italian Regions

Assuming that subnational constitutional politics can be interpreted a set of interlocking spheres in continuous transformation capable also to trigger integrated institutional innovation, the paper aims to analyzing the current trajectories of change and its consequences within the intermediate level of government in Italy, the Regions. Against the backdrop of the tense relationship between the central and subnational level, current political dynamics and institutional changes will be investigated. By doing so, the paper particularly focuses on the interaction of the institutional and societal account of subnational government and governance. It attempts to highlight key trajectories of recent dynamics at subnational level. Taking into account current political instability and structural problems it especially tries to find some answers as to the inherent logic and the (new) players of participatory dynamics in subnational Italian “constitutional spheres”: much ado about nothing?