Italian Welfare State in a European Perspective

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.

"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