"The Lega Nord is one of the most important right-wing populist parties to emerge in Western Europe during the past two decades. It continues to play a very significant role in Italian politics. In this book, the author links the Lega Nord's rise to the socioeconomic development of the north over the south in Italy and the political process which created a voting block in the south. This led the north of Italy to see "Rome" as a predatory entity, drawing resources and impeding progress in the north to support the south. Pressures from the Lega and the north have helped to bring on a number of important devolutionary reforms in Italy in recent years. The author examines this process and explores the implications it produces for the whole of Europe."--Jacket.