Italy An Uncompleted Departure from Bismarck

• Published in: A Long Goodbye to Bismarck? p. 157
• Main Authors: Matteo Jessoula, Tiziana Alti
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: The Netherlands Amsterdam University Press 18.05.2010
• Subjects: Age; Biometrics; Biostatistics; Business; Business administration; Economic disciplines; Economic policy; Economic reform; Economics; Employee benefit plans; Employee benefits; Employee compensation; Employee pension plans; Employment; Executive branch; Federal government structure; Government; Government cabinets; Government services; Health care industry; Health information; Health sciences; Human physical characteristics; Human resources; Labor; Labor economics; Labor markets; National government; Pension contributions; Pension plans; Political science; Political science & theory; Public assistance; Public assistance programs; Public pensions; Scope of employment; Social welfare & social services; Unemployment
• ISBN: 908964234X; 9789089642349

The Italian welfare system emerged under two different political regimes: the competitive, Liberal regime from the country unification (1861) to 1922, and the Fascist regime (1922-1943). The profound variation of the political background, however, did not have a decisive impact on the institutional traits of social protection schemes that from its inception displayed a Bismarckian imprint. They were in fact built along occupational lines – aiming to protect dependent workers primarily – and financed through social contributions paid by employers and employees (though the state contributed with a share of the total cost, i.e.tripartite financing); benefits were broadly contributions