Abstract

The article aims to discuss the welfare model of Lombardy in the period 2000-2020. It pursues this goal through an analysis of the main features of the model, an examination of the causes of its introduction and those of its steadiness over time, and an overall assessment of the policies carried out. In order to understand the core of the model it is essential to distinguish the policies to raise the provision, and the quality, of the welfare services from those to regulate the system. The policies implemented by the regional government in order to increase the quantity and quality of the services have been mostly effective, whereas a peculiar low effort to regulate the system has marked the recent history of welfare in Lombardy. More provision and less regulation therefore is the essence of the model in the longue durée. In no other regions comparable to Lombardy, i.e. those in the Centre-North of Italy, a similar model has been in place.