‘Does democracy still work?’ A survey on political distrust and radical views among Italian citizens

This article investigates whether contemporary Italian politics – particularly from the demand side – is experiencing increasing radicalization. Specifically, it asks if Italian citizens are developing stronger preferences for a more centralized, less mediated political system. This question has become especially relevant with the rise of Giorgia Meloni, the consolidation of Fratelli d’Italia (FdI), and the trajectory of her government. The study draws on findings from two political surveys conducted between May and December 2024, each based on a representative sample of 800 respondents. Its core objective is to examine public attitudes towards politics in Italy by evaluating levels of political trust as well as perceptions of liberal democracy as an effective system of governance. The analysis situates the 2024 data within the broader trajectory of Italian politics since 2011 while also placing them in a wider European and global context. Results reveal a significant degree of democratic disillusionment. Nearly one-third of respondents express support for radical models of governance marked by stronger centralization of power, a stance resonating with aspects of the current government's discourse. Nevertheless, younger cohorts, particularly Generation Z, continue to show confidence in liberal democracy's principles and institutions.