Globalization, Institutions and Social Cohesion

The Department of Public Economics of the Rome University "La Sapienza", in keeping with its primary task of promoting research, not only inside the Department, but also through an exchange of ideas with scholars from Italian and foreign research institutions, periodically organizes conferences and meetings on the important topics of economic theory and policy. Economic globalization clearly belongs to this category. Just consider the widespread effects and consequences of globalization, the range of tools that its analysis requires as well as its impact on the welfare of the populations involved, and the new difficulties it brings about in terms of methods and results of public and regulatory interventions. Therefore, on this very subject, the Department of Public Economics invited a group of scholars, who have been deeply involved with the questions raised by economic globalization, to a direct confrontation. The aim of this conference was to deepen awareness of the phenomenon and its specific impact on the advanced economies of our continent, as well as to formulate proposals for action on both the national and super-national level. This volume, which collects the contributions presented at this meeting, gives an account of the deliberations that took place at the Conference "Globalization, Institutions and Social Cohesion" held at the Faculty of Economics of Rome University "La Sapienza" from the 15th to the 17th of December 1998.

D. Tosato: Foreword.- F. R. Pizzuti: Introduction 'Markets and Institutions in Neo-Globalization'.- M. Franzini: Introduction to the English Edition.- Precedents and Prospects of the Current Processes of Globalization: P. M. Oppenheimer: Comparing 2000 with 1900: How Does Today`s Globalization Differ from Yesterday`s Free Trade?.- M. de Cecco: Financial Globalization: Specificity and Historical Differences.- F. Sanna-Randaccio: Globalization and Foreign Direct Investments: Towards a New Protectionism?.- Neo-Globalization and the Labor Market: L. M. Milone: Globalization, Localization of Production Activities and Income Distribution in the Advanced Countries: an Overview.- M. Franzini: Globalization, Profits and Salaries.- R. Schiattarella: International Relocalization and Employment: an Analysis for the Traditional Italian Industries.- K. Basu: International Labor Standards and Child Labor.- Neo-Globalization, the Welfare State and Social Cohesion: F. R. Pizzuti: Globalization, Welfare State and Social Dumping.- J. Fitoussi, X. Girre: Globalization, Growth, Inequalities and Demogracy: a New Perspective.- G. Standing: Global Flexibility: Economic Integration, Social Disintegration?.- P. Onofri: Globalization and Social-Policy Instruments in Europe.- F. Marzano: Globalization and Social Equity.- G. Hughes: Multinational Corporations and Global and International Models of Pension Provision: Evidence from Ireland.- The Neo-Globalization, the Institutions and the Experience of European Integration: C. Ciampi: Globalization and the Reform of the International Monetary System.- P. Padoan: Globalization, Regionalism and the Nation State: Top Down and Bottom Up.- A. Simonazzi, F. Vianello: Financial Liberalization, the European Single Currency and the Problem of Unemployment.- F. Farina: Monetary Policy and Competitiveness in the Euro Area.