Constitutional Change: The Italian Law Journal's Special Issue on the Failure of the 2016 Italian Referendum

The Italian Law Journal (an English language publication) has a special issue on the failure of the extraordinary referendum held in Italy in December of 2016. Had it succeeded, the referendum would have overhauled large swaths of the existing Italian Constitution. Contributors to the journal's special issue examine the details of the proposed referendum, reasons for its failure, and the precarious road that lies ahead for the Italian political system. The lessons extend well beyond Italy and shed light on the difficulties of reforming constitutions even when there is broad consensus that change is needed.