Recent Social Trends in Italy, 1960-1995

Italy remains an enigma for many observers. This text aims to provide a new and convincing schema for its comprehension. It shows that three essential institutions have structured and unified Italian society: the family; the church; and political parties. While the state remains a weak institution, it is important as a regulator of the economy and of society through the welfare state. The book, which contains an introduction by Alberto Martinelli on the uneven modernization of Italy, shows the usefulness of analyzing social change through study of a series of macro-social trends. These trends range from life-style structures to fertility, leisure, consumption, inequality, religion and the family amongst others.