
The Political Economy of Work Security and Flexibility
Italy in Comparative Perspective
Policy Press
1st Edition
Published on 30. May 2012
Book
Hardback
200 pages
978-1-84742-907-0 (ISBN)
Description
The economic crisis has revealed the dark side of deregulation in the labour market: rising unemployment, limited access to social security and, due to low wages, no savings to count upon in bad times.
This book casts light on the empirical relationship between labour market deregulation through non-standard contracts and the three main dimensions of worker security: employment, income and social security. Focusing on individual work histories, it looks at how labour market dynamics interact with the social protection system in bringing about inequality and insecurity. In this context Italy is put forward as the epitome of flexibility through non-standard work and compared with three similar countries: Germany, Spain and Japan. Results show that when flexibility is carried out as a mere cost-reduction device and social security only relies on insurance principles, deregulation leads to insecurity.
'The political economy of work security and flexibility' is essential reading for academics, students, practitioners and policy makers interested in the outcomes of labour market developments in advanced economies over the past twenty years.
This book casts light on the empirical relationship between labour market deregulation through non-standard contracts and the three main dimensions of worker security: employment, income and social security. Focusing on individual work histories, it looks at how labour market dynamics interact with the social protection system in bringing about inequality and insecurity. In this context Italy is put forward as the epitome of flexibility through non-standard work and compared with three similar countries: Germany, Spain and Japan. Results show that when flexibility is carried out as a mere cost-reduction device and social security only relies on insurance principles, deregulation leads to insecurity.
'The political economy of work security and flexibility' is essential reading for academics, students, practitioners and policy makers interested in the outcomes of labour market developments in advanced economies over the past twenty years.
Reviews / Votes
"By using clear language and structure and by offering an excellent overview of the flexicurity debate with solid empirical evidence on workers' (in)security along multiple dimensions, this book is of indubitable value for academics, students and policy makers." Work, employment and society "Using unique Italian work history data, the book offers a compelling analysis of the impact of nonstandard work on worker well-being in Italy and gives valuable comparisons to Germany, Japan and Spain." Richard B. Freeman, Professor of Economics, Harvard University "The aim of labor market deregulation is not just more hiring but an improvement in overall living standards. Via a detailed exploration of the Italian case, this fine book documents the importance of effective social protections to achievement of that goal." Lane Kenworthy, Professor of Sociology and Political Science, University of ArizonaMore details
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bristol University Press
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Not illustrated
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 175 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
534 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84742-907-0 (9781847429070)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Fabio Berton | Matteo Richiardi | Stefano Sacchi
The Political Economy of Work Security and Flexibility
Italy in Comparative Perspective
E-Book
05/2012
1st Edition
Policy Press
€124.09
Available for download
Persons
Fabio Berton is Research Fellow in Economic Statistics at the University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy, and Senior Researcher at LABORatorio R. Revelli - Center for Employment Studies.
Matteo Richiardi is Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Turin, Italy, and Senior Researcher at LABORatorio R. Revelli - Center for Employment Studies.
Stefano Sacchi is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Milan, Italy, and Carlo Alberto Affiliate at the Collegio Carlo Alberto of Turin.
Matteo Richiardi is Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Turin, Italy, and Senior Researcher at LABORatorio R. Revelli - Center for Employment Studies.
Stefano Sacchi is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Milan, Italy, and Carlo Alberto Affiliate at the Collegio Carlo Alberto of Turin.
Author
Department of Public Policies and Collective Choice, University of Eastern Piedmont.
Department of Economics, University of Torino.
Department of Welfare and Labour Studies, University of Milan.
Content
Worker security and the spread of non-standard work; Flexibility and security in contemporary labour markets; Labour policy developments in Italy in comparative perspective; Flexibility and employment security: an analysis of work careers; Flexibility and wage dynamics; Flexibility and social security; A monetary measure of worker (in)security; Conclusions.