Abstract

The author analyzes the phenomenon of social concertation from a comparative point of view, taking into consideration many experiences, from Scandinavian countries to United States. The unique currency - euro - has changed the scenario of industrial relations in European countries and opens a perspective of continental dimension in the relationship between social partners and government authorities (national and supranational). In the last part of the essay, he reflects on the Italian situation and stresses which conditions are judged politically and socially necessary to start up a new season of concertation.