The Social and Political Dimensions of Solidarity in Italy

Nicola Maggini

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-73335-7_6

Abstract

This chapter explores the social and political dimensions of solidarity in Italy, providing new data and analyses on solidarity practices with respect to three target groups (the disabled, the unemployed, and the refugees) and explaining them with reference to social traits of the respondents, their beliefs, and their political preferences. Findings show that the most important factors fostering solidarity practices in Italy are social capital, religiosity, cognitive political involvement, and perceptions of deservingness. There are also group-related predictors of solidarity: political factors play a more important role for support towards the unemployed and above all refugees compared to support for the disabled; solidarity towards refugees is bounded by political orientations and at the same time is an unconditioned and universalistic form of solidarity.

Highlights

This chapter explores the social and political dimensions of solidarity in Italy, measuring solidarity practices in their various aspects and explaining them with reference to core socio-demographic and attitudinal factors
The global financial crisis and the austerity measures which followed have resulted in drastic cuts to public services, heavy job losses, and reduced incomes
While governmental action has focused on fiscal containment and consequent public service retrenchment, societal needs have intensified and diversified

Summary

Introduction

This chapter explores the social and political dimensions of solidarity in Italy, measuring solidarity practices in their various aspects and explaining them with reference to core socio-demographic and attitudinal factors. The global financial crisis and the austerity measures which followed have resulted in drastic cuts to public services, heavy job losses, and reduced incomes. The impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable sectors of society, such as people with disabilities, was tough. In this regard, the most evident and tangible outcome of the crisis was the cut in the “National Fund for the Non-Self-Sufficient”. While governmental action has focused on fiscal containment and consequent public service retrenchment, societal needs have intensified (as the number of people in need has increased) and diversified

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion