Italy Today represents one of the most comprehensive examinations of contemporary Italy. It is a provocative and an innovative collection that aims to highlight the current 'crisis' of the country through an analysis of several different 'dark shadows' of contemporary Italian society. Italy already had a long history of 'unsolved' issues, several chronic problems and contradictions that have been ignored for a very long time, during which they have assumed dramatic proportions and gravity. The peninsula has now become the 'Sick Man of Europe', a country facing a veritable decline also caused by apparent incapacity and difficulties of the ruling economic, political and social elites. Discussions include an evaluation of the current predicaments of the political system; analysis of emerging mafias, including new powerful crime organizations such as 'Ndrangheta; issues surrounding the ongoing presence of Fascism; examination of the recent xenophobic tensions; discussion of problems associated with the missed opportunity of the EU funding, and the increasing regional economic gaps; outline of the systemic troubles of Italy's economic and industrial system. Written by leading experts in the field and covering a wide range of topics, this collection is essential reading for all those seeking to understand the issues and problems that are facing contemporary Italy.