Poverty in Italy


Book Description

Three experienced Italian sociologists explore the structural and cultural dimensions of poverty in their country. Comparing Italy’s regime with other European countries, they consider the interplay of conditions in the labour market, the family and welfare arrangements as causes of poverty. This in-depth analysis explores how forced familialism, unbalanced gender arrangements, territorial cleavages and sluggish growth have rendered Italy vulnerable to financial crisis. As old risks of poverty have worsened, new risks have emerged and children, the working poor and migrants have become the ‘new poor’. Combining theoretical and empirical tools, this is a topical fresh take on the understanding of poverty in Italy that is even more crucial considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.




Patronage, Power and Poverty in Southern Italy


Book Description

This book examines the Italy of the 1980s, which represents an unparalleled example of dualistic development - deeply divided between North and South.







Educational Poverty in Italy


Book Description

Educational poverty is one of the greatest challenges of our times, in several countries around the world. Despite the growing number of children and youth enrolled in primary and secondary schools, learning outcomes remain alarmingly low, particularly for those in vulnerable and underprivileged communities, facing obstacles to accessing quality education. This may be due to several factors such as limited resources, conflicts, gender inequality, and discrimination. In this book, we present the work carried out by the Laboratory of Effective Anti-Poverty Policies at Bocconi University (LEAP). Through our projects, we offer scientific evidence that measures the impact of innovative policies and best practices aimed at enhancing education quality. Using rigorous quantitative methods and sophisticated experimental protocols, we provide policymakers with scientific and pragmatic insights into what works and what doesn’t, helping them design efficient and effective solutions. By sharing results and interventions, we encourage dialogue, debate, and the development of policies to ensure that the potential of all children, regardless of background or social position, is realized.







The Italian Social Protection System


Book Description

Italy’s system of social protection has come under criticism for being fragmented and excessively skewed toward pensioners and “insiders.” After setting up a consolidated presentation of the social security accounts, this paper provides an empirical assessment of the effectiveness of the welfare system, relying on a survey of households’ incomes and wealth. It concludes that, owing to ill-designed targeting mechanisms, less than a quarter of total spending on the welfare instruments under review accrues to families whose own resources fall short of the poverty line. The paper then proposes a new means-testing formula.




Estimates of Poverty in Italy in 1975


Book Description

Draft working paper on the evaluation of poverty in Italy in 1975, based on household survey results and consumption patterns of low income families - constitutes part of a WEP research project on income distribution and employment, and includes comparative data on the poverty line in the UK. References and statistical tables.




Poverty in Italy


Book Description

Three experienced Italian sociologists explore the structural and cultural dimensions of poverty in their country. Comparing Italy’s regime with other European countries, they consider the interplay of conditions in the labour market, the family and welfare arrangements as causes of poverty. This in-depth analysis explores how forced familialism, unbalanced gender arrangements, territorial cleavages and sluggish growth have rendered Italy vulnerable to financial crisis. As old risks of poverty have worsened, new risks have emerged and children, the working poor and migrants have become the ‘new poor’. Combining theoretical and empirical tools, this is a topical fresh take on the understanding of poverty in Italy that is even more crucial considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.