"Social Assistance in Developing Countries: Progress, innovations, and challenges?" abstract Since the turn of the century, large-scale programmes providing regular and reliable direct transfers to households in poverty have mushroomed in in low- and middle-income countries. By 2010, conservative estimates indicate that around one billion people in low- and middle-income countries lived in households receiving…

"Moral Judgments, Material Sanctions, and Collective Action" at Campus Luigi Einaudi (Room 3D233) Abstract In group settings individuals can often benefit more by free-riding, letting others make costly contributions to collective efforts. The threat of free-riding makes the marshalling of cooperation from group members a fundamental challenge of social life. Drawing on classical sociological theory,…

"Welfare states in transition and E(M)U crisis management. The imperative of a post-neoliberal consensus" (Note: the seminar is on Tuesday) Abstract Half a decade after the Euro crisis, the EU is in dire need of a growth strategy that is – all at once – economically viable, politically legitimate and thus seen as socially fair. Without…

"The signaling value of labor market programs" Abstract This paper investigates how employers interpret participation in active labor market programs for hiring decisions. Drawing on signaling theory, we assume that employers use program participation as a signal for a candidate’s qualities. On the basis of a factorial survey experiment, we simulated a hiring process for…

"Challenges and Opportunities for Immigrant Workers Organizing in the Globalized Economy: Case Studies from Italy and Spain" abstract This talk focuses on key theoretical issues to examine the challenges and opportunities of migrant workers organizing in the globalized economy from a national comparative perspective. It builds on Adler et al.’s (2014) work on mobilizations by migrant…

"Deservingness frames on citizenship: what gives the right to have rights" abstract In this presentation I will discuss how the boundary between citizens and non-citizens is constantly negotiated at the formal policy and discursive level. By analysing immigration and integration policies as well as current political debates on immigrants and refugees in Europe, I will…

"Business and Politics: A Relationship of Dominance or of Adaptation?" abstract How influential are business interest groups in politics? Scholars in the field of business and politics try to understand the causes and mechanisms of business influence, such as lobbying, elite networks, political donations, and structural dependence of governments on investments. Thereby, research creates a…

"Reconceptualizing the welfare state. An empirical investigation of its growing symbiosis and contradiction with capitalism in rich European democracies." abstract The welfare state is often seen too narrowly as a 'moral economy': capitalism with a social face, forged by harsh social conflict. However, the welfare state is also an important way to support the capitalist…

"Two hearts and a loan? Employment insecurity, income and mortgage access among young couples in six European countries" Abstract  Homeownership is increasingly being understood by policy makers and social scientists as a fundamental asset against poverty risks, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Yet, in several Western countries, access to homeownership among younger generations appears…

"Challenging the Smooth Flow to Calamity: How Ethnic Diversity Deflates Price Bubbles" at Campus Einaudi (CLE), Dept of Cultures, politics and society, 3rd floor, room D233

"Immigrant populations and the economic crisis in Spain. The role of the Welfare State" Abstract The economic crisis severely deteriorated the socio-economic situation of immigrant populations in Spain over the last years. Often pushed to the margins of the labor market, they survive with informal jobs in the underground economy and with a precarious access…

"Dependency and Poverty. The effect of LTC spending on dependent elderly people and their families' income" Abstract This work examines the economic conditions of dependent elderly people and their families in order to investigate the existence of a relation between the condition of dependence and the risk of falling into poverty. For this purpose, we…

"Immigrant Integration beyond National Policies? Italian Cities Participation in Transnational Cities Networks" Abstract In the literature on the local dimension of migration policy-making, one can see an emerging interest towards transnational cities networks (TCNs). Networks such as Eurocities can represent policy venues that go beyond the limits of vertical relations between national governments and local…

"Fathering in Construction: What favours a positive paternal involvement in the Spanish context?" abstract Positive paternal involvement (Pleck and Masciadrelli 2004) has become an important concept in research on new ways of fathering and its consequences for child development.  This presentation draws on data of the Spanish case of the international TransParent research project and…

"Populism and institutionalisation in ethno-nationalist parties"

"Three ways to Austerity" Abstract In 2010-2014, 26 of 31 democratic countries pursued austerity: they consolidated a lean state (Switzerland) or planned to cut back deficits (25 nations, among them Germany, Portugal and Italy). Why do democratic governments embark on austerity policies? A statistical analysis shows that the extent of deficits change is mainly a…

"South European Countries’ Systems of Innovation in Hard Times" at Campus Einaudi (CLE), Dept of Cultures, politics and society, 3rd floor, room D233

"The strength of weak political ties: Discussion networks and the diffusion of Movimento 5 Stelle in 2013 Italian Elections" Abstract The article aims to analyze the development of vote intentions for a new populist party, Movimento 5 Stelle (the 5 Star Movement), during the campaign for the 2013 Italian general election. The party, headed by…

"Strengthening limits to mobility? The Economic crisis and EU citizens' mobility"   Abstract This paper is an attempt to study intra-EU mobility in a context of economic crisis, taking into consideration two opposite forces, i.e.: one which strongly favours it from the European level (and the economic crisis); and another one which tends to be…

"Family Policy Shifts and the Creation of a Market for Domestic and Care Work in Germany" abstract The introduction of tax credits for purchases of personal, household, and most recently elderly care services is aimed both at supporting dual-earner households and creating jobs in household services. In this talk, recent shifts in German family policy…