Care policies in Italy between a national frozen landscape and local dynamism

In recent decades , the transformations in the labour market and in the composition of households, as well as socio-demographic changes have put that part of the welfare state that deals with care policies under increasing preassure. This chapter describes and interprets what has happend and why Italy has so far missed the occasion to strengthen its public social care, while other countries from continental and Southern Europe have tried to do so. It is argued that while "a frozen landscape" is what best describe the role of the central state, on the other hand the last two decades have witnessed a significant process of "innovation from below". both local public institutions and private players have tried to implement new care policies and/or find new welfare mix equilibriums in order to meet the emerging care needs of the population.