FAREWELL TO THE ITALIAN WELFARE MODEL? = «Welfare all’italiana» addio?

This special issue, Farewell to the Italian Welfare State? Change and Resistance Between Social Investment and Protection, investigates whether the evolution of the Italian welfare state from 2014 to 2024 has effectively addressed the enduring social crisis triggered by the Great Recession. It examines whether traditionally underdeveloped policy sectors – such as family policy, long-term care, active labor market policies, and anti-poverty measures – have achieved meaningful progress. The contributions reveal signs of a gradual shift towards a more balanced welfare configuration, particularly in addressing long-standing functional and distributive distortions. However, significant challenges persist, especially in advancing investment in service provision. This introductory article reflects on the key changes in Italy’s welfare architecture over the past decade and examines the factors that have either facilitated or hindered policy change in these «forgotten» sectors, offering a critical reflection on the conditions that enable or hinder reform efforts.