Session 6: Composite Economies and the Politics of Embeddedness in Italy

Making Sense of Italy: The Puzzle and the Argument (May 12, Wednesday)

Do you think that Locke's "micropolitical approach" is a useful innovation for the study of Italy? List three major reasons why you think it might or might not be. Be sure to contrast Locke's approach to the alternatives he discusses in Chapter 1.

Locke argues that, "like Robert Putnam (1993), I find that the 'vibrancy of associational life' is important in promoting different patterns of social solidarity and local politics in Italy." How does Locke analyze the "social context" in Italy? Which social network patterns does Locke identify as those that enhance understanding among economic and political actors? Why are these the most successful? How does this affect the way that Locke defines embeddedness?

How did the failure of national economic policies (e.g., privatization, industrial reconversion, industrial policy, etc.) in Italy verify the importance of regional differences? Be prepared to identify particular examples.

Embedded Ties and the Italian Industrial Relations System (May 14, Friday; May 17, Monday)

Compare the Italian and German industrial relations systems. How did the structure of unions and firm-level representation affect the performance of each? How did the strategies pursued by the labor unions in each case affect performance?

Based on this comparison, define two "If, then" hypotheses concerning labor union organization and coordination with employers and the state that explain these distinct experiences.

Why did attempts to moderate labor militancy and establish a national industrial relations system in Italy erode?

How did the failures of national-level collective bargaining remake the Italian industrial relations system? How does Locke provide evidence for this "remaking" process in his comparison of Alfa Romeo and Fiat? How does this comparison support the main argument of his book?

Compare the case of the auto sector with the case of the textile sector. How does this comparison support the main argument of Remaking the Italian Economy?

Floating Comprehensive Exam Questions: Answer One (Due May 26, Wednesday)

(A) Scholars of the Italian case conceive of it as both a "success" and a "failure." Select two other countries that we have studied, including any of the small states, and specify what aspects of the Italian experience suggest that it is a relative success and which aspects of the experience represent relative failures. Be sure to analyze major areas of policy including industrial relations, labor market policy and welfare, and industrial policy.

(B) Compare the German, Italian, and Spanish experiences with reforming industrial relations in the 1980s and 1990s. Construct a hypothesis by focusing on at least two variables you believe explain the process and outcomes of these three cases of industrial relations reform. Make a case for your hypothesis and explain why it is better than an alternative (e.g., macropolitical vs micropolitical approach, institutional analysis, coalitional approach, elite-centered approach).

Note: If you have only completed one floating exam answer, you must answer one of these questions.