Abstract

In postwar Italy, collective action on social issues has evolved in close relationship to the welfare state. While in a first period (1945-1965) social dynamics remained distant from the weak welfare institutions of the time, in a second period (1966-1980) conflict and tension emerged as major social reforms took shape, followerd by a period of cooperation (1980-2000) and then (2001-present) by a greater institutionalisation of social organisations.