Changes and turning points in welfare history. A case study

A comparison of France and Italy in the 1940s

Bibliographic Data

ID12548848
AuthorsPaolo Mattera (University of Rome Tor Vergata, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume22
Issue2
Pages232-253
Publication date2017-03-15
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Modern Italian Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1354-571X • E-ISSN: 1469-9583
PublisherRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1354571x.2017.1286103
OpenAlexW2600861399
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited15

An interesting case study in the history of welfare systems is the comparison between France and Italy. In fact, in the 1940s both countries had to tackle a very similar dilemma: the corrective reform of their existing welfare or the institution of reforms in line with the ‘universal’ model. This was a crucial turning point. Understanding these dynamics means grasping the significance of one of the most important moments in the history of the welfare state. The proposed reforms were ultimately rejected. Why? The aim of this article is to try to provide an answer to this question, examining the issue at various levels. It highlights the interactions between the top-down choices (the theoretical reflections and the political decisions) and grassroots dynamics (of social groups), and illustrates the decision-making process that led to the final outcome. The article is based largely on documents, often unpublished, from both French and Italian archives

Dilemma · Dynamics (music · Economics · Epistemology · Grassroots · Institution · Outcome (game theory · Period (music · Point (geometry · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Sociology · Turning point · Welfare · Welfare state · French Historical and Cultural Studies · Law · Political and Economic history of UK and US · Social Policies and Family

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