Towards a welfare system that produces inequality? Interpreting the new conditions of inclusion and exclusion in two Italian cases in a macro-micro-macro perspective

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the mechanisms through which social inequality is produced and reproduced, beginning from an examination of the close interrelationship between the macro level of policy and institutional action and the micro level of activity by a variety of actors. Design/methodology/approach: Referring specifically to Italy and considering exemplary cases, namely the conditions of esodati and new self-employed workers, this paper seeks to provide a more organic interpretation of the differential effects of specific national policies and imminent shifts in the productive system on the individuals affected by them. To describe the Italian context in an international perspective, at the macro level, the authors analyze this phenomenon using the famous worlds of welfare regime developed by Esping-Andersen and the varieties of capitalism formulated by Hall and Soskice, whereas at the micro level, the authors analyze the dynamic relations between individual and institutional factors that generate inequalities. Findings: The paper seeks to highlight the complexity of new conditions of marginality, stressing the importance of a comprehensive approach. Originality/value: So far there have been few attempts in Italy to explore the possibility of implementing the kind of “mixed” social support measures seen in other countries. In a variable way on the basis of specific needs, such measures encompass services and cash benefits as well as income, housing and employment support. This approach might represent a scalable and modular solution that lends itself well to the country’s already significant socio-economic segmentation.