Policy Press

The Italian Welfare State in a European Perspective

A Comparative Analysis

Edited by Ugo Ascoli and Emmanuele Pavolini

Published

May 7, 2015

Page count

388 pages

ISBN

978-1447316886

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jun 1, 2016

Page count

388 pages

ISBN

978-1447334446

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jun 1, 2016

Page count

388 pages

ISBN

978-1447334453

Imprint

Policy Press
The Italian Welfare State in a European Perspective

There is a need to understand the Italian welfare state, but as yet it has received little academic research attention. The Italian Welfare State in a European Perspective is the first book to explore the evolution of Italy's welfare state in the decades since the ‘Trente Glorieuses’ (1945–75).

It offers a rare overview and analysis of the Italian situation based on an in-depth study of the main social policy fields (including education, higher education and taxation policies), a detailed analysis of the connection between policies and their outputs/outcomes and a comparative perspective framing the Italian case within the European context.

This is the first English-language book to take a comparative look at the Italian welfare state as a whole since the 2008 economic crisis, It will be a valuable resource for academics and researchers, as well as students.

"This volume is a comprehensive, innovative and recommended read for all scholars interested in understanding the backgrounds of the Italian welfare state and its specificity in an international perspective." Social Policy & Administration

“A thorough analysis of the trajectory of the Italian welfare state and its comparative situation, and a salient contribution to the current debate on the future prospects of social protection within the whole EU and the Eurozone.” Ana Guillén, University of Oviedo, Spain

“Written by the best Italian scholars in the field, this outstanding and analytically rigorous book examines the multi-level dynamics of change in Italy's welfare state during the last decades.” Caroline de la Porte, Roskilde University, Denmark

Ugo Ascoli is Full Professor of Economic Sociology and Social Policy at the Marche Polytechnic University (Italy). He has published many articles and books on the Italian welfare state, welfare policies and voluntary organisations.

Emmanuele Pavolini is Associate Professor of Economic Sociology at the Macerata University (Italy). His research focuses on health care policies, social care policies and the transformation of the Italian welfare state in a comparative perspective.

Part 1:

Pension policy in Italy;

Employment policy change in Italy;

Social assistance in Italy in a comparative perspective;

Social care in Italy in a comparative perspective;

Health care policy change in Italy;

School policies;

Higher education policies;

Taxation policies and the welfare state;

Part 2:

Social inequalities between “new” and “old” social risks and missing policy responses;

Italy: A two welfare regimes welfare state?;

The economic crisis, the austerity plans and the welfare state: what has been the impact on social inequalities?;

Conclusions.