- Italy is a generally captialist society, which has changed from an mainly agricultural society to the world's 5th largest industrial economy.

Italy

The CIA World Factbook

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/it.html

"Italy has a diversified industrial economy with roughly the same total and per capita output as France and the UK. This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, welfare-dependent, agricultural south, with 20% unemployment. Most raw materials needed by industry and more than 75% of energy requirements are imported. Over the past decade, Italy has pursued a tight fiscal policy in order to meet the requirements of the Economic and Monetary Unions and has benefited from lower interest and inflation rates. The current government has enacted numerous short-term reforms aimed at improving competitiveness and long-term growth. Italy has moved slowly, however, on implementing needed structural reforms, such as lightening the high tax burden and overhauling Italy's rigid labor market and over-generous pension system, because of the current economic slowdown and opposition from labor unions. But the leadership faces a severe economic constraint: the budget deficit has breached the 3% EU ceiling. The economy experienced almost no growth in 2005, and unemployment remained at a high level."

Pierre Musso, Le Monde diplomatique

April 2002

The Berlusconi effect: High Price of Italian prosperity

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/62/225.html

"At first glance Italy's capitalist system may appear convoluted, given the country's extensive underground economy and the phenomenon of cross-ownership. But the system is ultimately controlled by a national oligopoly made up of shareholder financiers. The multifaceted nature of Italian capitalism stems from the country's distinctive pattern of industrial development. It would be more accurate to call it varieties of capitalism, since the systems of production in use differ according to region."

- World > Europe > Italy> Economy (Notes)

Geography IQ

11/26/06

http://www.geographyiq.com/countries/it/Italy_economy_summary.htm

This is an informative site that gives the recent history of Italian economy in the light of foreign debt, natural resources, September 11th, inflation, relations with the US, labor, and agrigulture.

"The Italian economy has changed dramatically since the end of World War II. From an agriculturally based economy, it has developed into an industrial state ranked as the world's fifth-largest industrial economy. Italy belongs to the Group of Eight (G-8) industrialized nations; it is a member of the European Union and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)."

Michele Salvati, The Impasse of Italian Capitalism

New Left Review

November-December 1972

http://www.newleftreview.net/?page=article&view=1360

This site gives a history of Italian economy since WWII.

Economy of Italy

Wikipedia

11/26/06

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy#Economy

"This capitalistic economy remains divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less developed agricultural south. Italy's economy has deceptive strength because it is supported by a substantial "underground" economy that functions outside government controls."

U.S. Dept of State, Background Note: Italy

July 2006

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

"The Italian economy is also affected by a large underground economy--worth some 27% of Italy’s GDP. This production is not subject, of course, to taxation and thus remains a source of lost revenue to the local and central government."

U.S. Dept of State, Background Note: Italy

July 2006

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

GDP (purchasing power parity, 2005 est.): $1.645 trillion.

GDP per capita (purchasing power parity, 2005 est.): $28,300.

GDP growth: 0.1% (2005); 0.9% (2003 est.); 0.4% (2002); 1.8% (2001).

Natural resources: Fish and natural gas.

Agriculture: Products--wheat, rice, grapes, olives, citrus fruits, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans beef, dairy products.

Industry: Types--tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics.

Exports (2005 est.): $371.9 billion f.o.b. Partners (2004)--Germany 13.6%, France 12.4%, U.S. 7.9%, Spain 7.3%, U.K. 7.1%; mechanical products, textiles and apparel, transportation equipment, metal products, chemical products, food and agricultural products. Imports (2005 est.): $369.2 billion f.o.b. Partners (2004)--Germany 18%, France 11%, Netherlands 5.9%, Spain 4.7%, Belgium 4.5%, U.K. 4.3%, China 4.2%; machinery and transport equipment, foodstuffs, ferrous and nonferrous metals, wool, cotton, energy products.

Health: Infant mortality rate--5.76/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--76.08 years for men; 83.0 years for women.

Work force (23.8 million): Services--57.6%; industry and commerce--28.9%; agriculture--4.2%; unemployed--9.2%.

An International Living overview

Health Care in Italy

http://www.internationalliving.com/italy/healthcare.html

"As far as health care is concerned, Italy ranks among the World Health Organization’s top 10 countries for quality health care services (by contrast, the U.S. only holds 37th place, despite being the highest spender.) However, although medical facilities are considered to be adequate for any emergencies, many public hospitals are overcrowded and underfunded.

Italy has a national health plan (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), which provides for hospital and medical benefits. U.S. and Canadian citizens who are legally resident in Italy can apply to join the plan. Eligibility for the plan depends on certain criteria, (i.e. your nationality, work permit etc.)"

Giuseppe Di Palma, Administration and social conditions > Health and welfare

Encyclopædia Britannica

11/26/06

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-27023/Italy

"Italy possesses an extensive social security and welfare system that provides coverage for the great majority of the population. The system is run by a sprawling number of state agencies that supervise all social services, make available benefits in the case of accident, illness, disability, or unemployment, and provide assistance for the elderly. The largest of these agencies, which administers a wide range of benefits, is the National Social Insurance Institute."

SSA

Old Age, Disability, and Survivors

November 26, 2006

http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/progdesc/ssptw/

2002-2003/europe/italy.html --> *copy and past entire site link*

This site gives descriptions of qualifications for different government-funded benefits and pensions, injury or pregnancy benefits, unemployment, and family allowences. It tells the years that the laws were first put into place and when they have been since changed, and give examples of which categories one could fall under to receive aid.

Italy

CIA's World Factbook

14 November, 2006

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/it.html

2002 - 9.1%

2003 - 8.6%

2004 - 8.6%

2005 - 7.7% (est)

U.S. Dept of State, Background Note: Italy

July 2006

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

"Unemployment is a regional issue in Italy--low in the north, high in the south. The overall national rate is at its lowest level since 1992. Chronic problems of inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and organized crime act as disincentives to investment and job creation in the south. A significant underground economy absorbs substantial numbers of people, but they work for low wages and without standard social benefits and protections. Women and youth have significantly higher rates of unemployment than do men."

- The history of capitalism in Italy

World History Archives

11/26/06

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/62/index-bca.html

This site provides a list of articles relating to problems that business and workers have faced during Italian capitalism from 1997 to 2004. These articles tell of the many strikes throughout the past 10 years that have threatened Italy's economy and increased the general unemployment rate.

-Status of Italian Citizens in the EU

U.S. Dept of State, Background Note: Italy

July 2006

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm

"Italy's closest trade ties are with the other countries of the European Union, with whom it conducts about 54.4% of its total trade (2002 data). Italy's largest EU trade partners, in order of market share, are Germany (15.5%), France (11.6%), and the United Kingdom (5.9%)."

-Economic benefits to Italy of the EU

-Class structure and its significance in the past

class notes on blackboard Oct. 10 group A

Bailey, Samuel L. Immigrants in the Land of Promise. London: Cornell University Press,

1999.

-Class structure and its significance today

-Attitudes to new immigrant groups

EU gives Italy, Malta, Spain aid to fight illegal immigration

eubusiness.com

09/19/2006

http://www.eubusiness.com/Living_in_EU/060919152322.benvryhb

Italy, along with France and Spain, have been overrun with illegal immigrants from Africa recently, and are seeking the aid of the EU to stem this incoming tide.

-The role of immigrants in the economy

EU Commissioner warns Italy over legalising immigrants

Document Actions

eubusiness.com

07/28/2006

http://www.eubusiness.com/Employment/060728170042.nu5n3rct

"Under a government decree announced last week, Italy will establish a quota of 350,000 non-EU citizens who will be able to legalize their status in Italy, and said it would regularise more than 500,000 such immigrant workers already in the country. By doing so, Italy hopes to make up a labour shortfall, particularly in factories in the industrial north, and in turn boost the economy."