Policy In Italy Research Articles

Colonial ideology versus labour reality: a history of the recruitment of Italian workers to the colony of Eritrea, 1890s–1940s

This article analyses the labour history of Italy's recruitment of workers for settlement in the Italian colony of Eritrea. The quest for full employment, both in Italy and within its nascent colonial ‘empire’, was the main driving force behind Italian colonialism in general. Italy's labour policy, which started to take shape in the 1890s, was never linear. Unlike the previous liberal Governments, the Fascist regime's policy was far more determined to use its colonies as places to settle the Italian peasant masses (the same that were migrating to the Americas for a better life, a trend which Fascist Italy considered humiliating to the mother country). In keeping with its vision of the colonies as a means to attain full employment, Fascist ideology characterised the Italian colonial empire as an ‘empire of labour’. In fact, the reality of the labour situation that Italian workers found themselves in after settling in Italy's African colonies would soon show the fallacy underlying Fascist colonial ideology.

Budgeting and implementing fiscal policy in Italy

AbstractForecast errors in budgetary variables are frequent. When systematic, they are a source of concern, as they signal misconduct in fiscal policymaking, undermine the government’s credibility and compromise long-term fiscal sustainability. This paper analyses the characteristics of fiscal forecasting and implementation errors in Italy usingreal-timedata over the period 1998–2009. Several empirical methods are applied in order to identify the features of policymakers’ behaviour in preparing and implementing annual fiscal policy and to discover potential determinants in the formation of the implementation errors. Our results show that implemented budgetary plans systematically fall short one year ahead of ambitious planned adjustments for the main public finance aggregates. Fiscal illusion dominates revenue and GDP forecasting, and preliminary data releases are severely biased estimators of the final data, especially for expenditures. The role of the parliamentary session in driving a severe expenditure drift is confirmed.

Monetary policy in Italy: the limited role of monetarism

The work assesses the role of monetary policy in Italy. An overall definition of the operational indications arising out of monetarism is provided before they are compared with the objectives and strategies of Italian monetary policy. It is shown that, despite the diffusion of the monetarist theses, the Bank of Italy’s analysis and strategy in recent years have been moving in the opposite direction, with the role of the stock of money being significantly reduced. The author examines how far this evolution is justified by the corresponding evolution of the financial system.

On the implementation of monetary programs: the Italian case

The article discusses the techniques (or instruments) through which certain monetary policies might be implemented, as opposed to the choice of the policies themselves. In particular, the author is concerned with the implementation of monetary policy in Italy. First, a simple monetary policy model is proposed, designed to illustrate the interrelationships between the behaviour of certain magnitudes and total liquidity changes. Recent monetary trends and policies in Italy are then reviewed. The model is then employed as a tool for programming before some observations on seasonal behaviour are considered. Finally, the outlook for the Italian economy in 1964 is analysed.

International movements of bank funds and monetary policy in Italy

72 1024x768 Since the lira was declared convertible in December 1958, the Italian monetary authorities have been making increasing use of changes in the Italian banks ’ foreign position as a policy instrument. The present article analyses in detail how the Italian monetary authorities have used their powers to control banks ’ foreign exchange borrowing and lending as a means to restrict or expand domestic liquidity. In general, the flows of bank money to and from abroad have been regulated by the central bank as to make the process of balance-of-payments adjustment more flexible, and hence to attenuate the effects of the liquidity gains and losses due to the surpluses and deficits generated by autonomous operations with abroad. The analysis confirms that when bank credits are used without appropriate measures designed to re-establish basic equilibrium in the balance of payments, they may give rise to speculative capital movements. The author argues that while Italian monetary policy made an effective impact on the course of the economic cycle, it could not control the cycle itself. Normal 0 14 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Tabella normale; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times New Roman;}

A tale of two Fascisms: Labour productivity growth and competition policy in Italy, 1911–1951

This paper presents the first quantitative assessment of labour productivity dynamics in Italy's industrial sector between 1911 and 1951 and explores their links with changes in competition policy. It relies on a newly compiled dataset and provides fresh labour productivity estimates, disaggregated by industrial branch. Its main finding is that the switch to a more interventionist industrial policy enacted by the Fascist regime circa 1926–7 caused a marked slowdown in productivity growth. Nor was the government's decision to relocate resources from the traditional to the more modern industrial branches successful in lifting productivity dynamics: our shift-share analysis shows that the contribution of (static and dynamic) structural change from old to new industries to productivity growth was negligible. Finally, we find that the increase in the levels and growth rates of concentration, induced by specific Fascist policies, were associated with lower productivity levels and growth rates. This paper thus casts a shadow on the optimist accounts of Fascist industrial policy and confirms the findings of a revisionist literature minimising the positive role played by the State in the earlier stages of Italian industrialization.

Smoking ban policies in Italy and the potential impact of the so-called Sirchia Law: state of the art after eight years.

Objective. The aim of the present work is to describe the state of the art of tobacco habits in Italy, eight years after the law was introduced. Methods. Time series analyses, based on estimates of smoking prevalence/consumption derived from the openly available data of national surveys performed during the 2001–2013 period, were performed. Data have been expressed in percentage of smokers and daily cigarettes consumption. Time changes are expressed as expected annual percentage change (EAPC). Results. Over time, the percentage of Italian smokers shows a constant and statistically significant decrease (from 28.9% in 2001 to 20.6% in 2013, EAPC = −2.6%, and P < 0.001). Regarding data stratified by gender, we found a stronger reduction among men (EAPC = −2.9%, P < 0.001) than in women (EAPC = −2.5%, P < 0.001). Similarly, the consumption of tobacco smoking, measured as the number of daily cigarettes smoked, registered a downward trend (P < 0.001). No join point (time point when a significant trend change is detected) resulted from the trend analysis. Conclusions. Data show a constant decrease of tobacco consumption in Italy, with no join point related to the introduction of the banning law. These findings require to reflect on the priorities of the smoking banning policies that may be focused on other intervention activities such as to increase the price of cigarettes.

Who Decides Foreign and Defense Policy in Italy?

Who Decides Foreign and Defense Policy in Italy?

Migration Laws, Policies and Economics in Europe: An Empirical Study of Legal Status, Remittances and Scio-Economic Impacts in Rural Bangladeshi Households

This book presents an overview of legal framework of EU governing residence permits, employment pass and access to integration, describing the most frequent migration pathways employed by Bangladeshis in Italy. It discusses the migration trajectories, socio-demographic profile, the importance of remittances to Bangladesh, and the impact that Italian migration policy has had upon this group, as well as other non-EU nationals more generally. In this book rural household micro quantitative data have been collected from Bangladesh to explore the relationship between legal status, remittances and socioeconomic impact at the left behind household members. The empirical results suggest that there is economic variation between the documented and undocumented Bangladeshi migrants in Italy. This study also found that the rectification of immigration policy in Italy has covered the way for the emergence of some non-European emigrant communities in Italy including Bangladeshi community. It concludes with a discussion of the socio-cultural integration of the Bangladeshi migrants in Italy and their future integration opportunities to other EU nations.

A transatlantic shock: Italy's energy policies between the Mediterranean and the EEC, 1967-1974

A transatlantic shock: Italy's energy policies between the Mediterranean and the EEC, 1967-1974

Workplace drug testing and alcohol policy in Italy; there is still a long way to go

The effectiveness of workplace drug testing (WDT) in Italy has recently been questioned, while very little is known about the real consumption of alcoholic beverages among workers performing hazardous jobs, such as professional drivers (PDs). The aim of this study is to investigate the modality and frequency of WDT execution and of alcohol consumption in the above category. Anonymous questionnaires were used to collect information. Four hundred and ninety-seven questionnaires were collected; 50.1% declared that they know well in advance when they will be subjected to screening tests for drugs, while 19.5% claimed they have never been subjected to such a test. The greater the number of employees in a company, the greater the likelihood that the tests are performed with a genuinely surprise effect [odds ratio (OR) 2.41, 5.39 and 9.07, respectively, for businesses with 5-14 employees, 15-50 and more than 50, compared with companies with less than 5 employees, p < 0.01]. Twenty-one point four percent declared they drink alcoholic beverages during working hours or work breaks. This attitude is positively correlated with driver seniority [OR 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-1.11 p < 0.01] and is more common in those who operate on mainly international routes (OR 3.34 CI 1.30-8.59 p < 0.01) and only occasionally consume meals in restaurants (OR 4.27, CI 1.19-15.42 p < 0.05). Fifteen percent of the participants have an AUDIT C score ≥ 5. In conclusion WDT is largely ineffective, particularly in small businesses. The high percentage of PDs who claim to drink during working hours and who are hazardous drinkers requires a further strengthening of prevention strategies in this area.

Smoking ban policies in Italy and the impact of the so-called Sirchia law: state of the art eight years after

Background Currently, smokers in Italy are around 11 million: of them 43.5% are women. From January 2005 is into force the Law No 3 of January 2003 (the so called Sirchia Law named after the Health Ministry who promoted it) that banned smoking in all indoor public places. The aim of the present work is to describe the state of the art of tobacco habits in Italy, eight years after the law was introduced. Methods Based on a national survey conducted by the National …

Vaccination policy in Italy: comparative survey of local organisation strategy

Background In Italy the Ministry of Health is responsible for the elaboration of a three-year National Vaccine Plan (PNV); regions organize and implement the service in their own area according to the PNV; and Local Health Units (LHUs) are in charge of vaccine supplies and logistics. The aim of this survey was to describe the strategy and organization of vaccination programmes adopted by LHUs to underline differences in accordance with the objectives defined by …

Endogenous and Environmental Determinants of Water Pricing Policy in Italy

A water pricing policy (WPP) should accomplish many purposes. Due to the growing importance of efficient water management, it has become crucial to understand the endogenous and environmental factors affecting water pricing, so as to provide guidance to policy makers in defining a suitable water management framework and in entrusting the service to those water utilities that are better inclined to fulfill the purposes of the WPP. Using multiple linear regression model with robust standard errors, this paper analyzes if and how some relevant variables affect the tariff levied by water utilities. Italy is considered a particularly appropriate case study, since the country characterized by diverse geographical features and is home to water utilities with differing characteristics. The results show a positive relationship between the tariff level and the realized investment per inhabitant. Furthermore, the paper shows a negative relationship between the tariff level and the average annual rainfall. Consistent with the environmental characteristics, the data show that tariffs are lowest in the north of Italy. Significantly, publicly owned companies levy lower tariffs than mixed and private utilities. Finally, neither firm size and diversification strategies show a significant relationship with the tariff level.

Fighting discrimination and exclusion: Civil society and immigration policies in Italy

Migration policies in recent years have turned to growing restrictions and tighter controls in most countries, not only at national level but often also at local level. But several actors from civil society have tried to counteract this trend, protesting, organizing advocacy actions, providing services and promoting networks. Italy is a case in point: from the beginning of the arrival of immigration flows in the ’80, the reception of the newcomers and the defence of their rights has been provided mainly by non-public actors: trade unions, voluntary associations, social movements, catholic institutions. In the last decade, Italian immigration policies have hardened, above all in the period 2008-2011, with the advent of a securitarian discourse. Many civil society organizations struggled against these policies. The article will present two case studies: 1) the Association “Avvocati per niente”, that defends the immigrants against local policies of exclusion; 2) NAGA and OSF, two Associations engaged in health care for irregular immigrants in Milan. The articles explore motivations, discourses, strategies, alliances and outcomes of their action.

Commentary on “Stakeholders’ Role in Contemporary ‘Substitute Drug’ Prescribing Policies in Italy” by Franca Beccaria and Sara Rolando

Commentary on “Stakeholders’ Role in Contemporary ‘Substitute Drug’ Prescribing Policies in Italy” by Franca Beccaria and Sara Rolando

Stakeholders’ Role in Contemporary “Substitute Drug” Prescribing Policies in Italy

This article, part of a comparative research project (WP2) funded by FP7 ALICE RAP, is based upon a review of literature and documents and 18 individual interviews with Italian national stakeholders (SHs) conducted in 2012. The goal was to identify the main shifts in opioid “substitution drug” treatment policies and understand the role played by different SHs during the last 30 years. The study confirms that opioid “substitution drug” treatment is a particularly suitable theme for improving knowledge in the field of SH analysis, even if results show that changes in policies are mainly due to external factors rather than to the action of SHs.

Italian foreign and security policy in a state of reliability crisis?

This article focuses on Italian foreign and security policy (IFSP). It looks at three examples of the country's policy-making which reveal its poor results as a security provider, namely: Italy's tardy reaction to the violence in Libya in 2011, its prompt reaction to the Lebanon crisis in 2006, and its efforts to be included in the diplomatic directorate, the P5 + 1, approaching relations with Iran in 2009. The article considers whether government action has bolstered the reliability of IFSP and also discusses the country's FSP in terms of its basic differences from that of its partners in the European Union, France, Britain and Germany, envisaging how Italy could react to build more credibility. Italy's policy is observed through a three-pronged analytical framework enriched by concepts of the logic of expected consequences. The article concludes that IFSP is predictable, but it must still reveal that it is reliable, and explains why this is the case.

Party Systems and Social Policy: A Historical Comparison of Italy and Germany

The article shows how the development of social policy in Italy and Germany was influenced by their respective party systems. Its focus is on the differences between systems of unemployment protection in the two countries after World War II. Due to many similarities between the two states, in particular the dominant presence of Christian democratic parties in both national governments at the time, this divergence cannot be adequately explained by standard theories. The article shows that it is crucial to take the widely different party systems into account: seven parties and ideological polarisation in Italy as opposed to three parties and moderate ideological differences in Germany. These generated different political dynamics and, consequently, different policy output.

Cities in search of Policy

Studies of urban public policy in Italy heretofore have highlighted the absence of attention to urban questions in the national political agenda until 1990, and afterwards the fragmentation of public initiatives, due to the lack of effective tools for coordination and governance. The aim of this paper is to present an analysis of urban public policy, as it has been carried out in Italy. This paper follows the framework of previous studies in urban policy, utilizing a typological model that proposes two types of national initiatives for urban areas: direct and indirect urban policies. This analysis enables us to propose answers to the following research questions: I) how, when and why have urban issues entered the nation-state agenda in Italy? II) does in fact an urban policy exist in Italy? and if so, what are its main characteristics? III) what are the main explicative factors lying behind the persistent fragmentation of urban policies in Italy?