Italy Election Maps

[Cubby]

That 1946 referendum map was interesting. I know the South was much more rural and backward than the north (no offense Phil), is that the reason they supported the monarchy or was there another reason?

And why was Basilicata one of the only regions in the South to support Veltroni's party this year?

[Cubby]

And why was Basilicata one of the only regions in the South to support Veltroni's party this year?

It's a traditonally leftist stronghold.

Thats strange by American standards. Usually the poor, very rural areas are extremely Republican. Except for say, Alabama's black belt and the MS delta (which isn't really a delta).

There's a great book about Basilicata (then named Luciana) called Christ Stopped at Eboli. It was written in 1936 by an author who was banished there by Mussolini for speaking out against the Ethiopian War. I read the first 50 pages but haven't finished it yet.

[Cubby]

That 1946 referendum map was interesting. I know the South was much more rural and backward than the north (no offense Phil), is that the reason they supported the monarchy or was there another reason?

Could go into a really detailed socio-political analysis stretching back to ancient Rome; southern Italy is quite interesting that way.

As Lord Koko says, that does sound interesting. You could give us the short version