The Italian Welfare State in a European Perspective: A Comparative Analysis

In the Trente Glorieuses era of economic prosperity that followed World War II, Italy grew into one of Europe’s—and, indeed, the world’s—largest economies. While the more tumultuous decades since have resulted in the rise of the Italian welfare state, Italy remains a globally important economic player and important social policy indicator, but as of yet it has received little academic research attention. This is the first English-language book to explore the evolution of the Italian welfare state, with a particular emphasis on how it has changed since the 2008 economic crisis. Drawing on a variety of social policies—including pension, schooling, higher education, healthcare, and taxation policies—this collection both offers a broad overview of the Italian situation, featuring detailed analysis of the connections between particular policies and their outcomes, and a comparative approach that frames the Italian case within a larger European context.