Poverty and social exclusion in European cities: diversity and convergence at the local level

In the paper that follows, Enzo Mingione identifies five different models of postwar welfare capitalism. The models were all based around “full” employment, the nuclear family and the regulatory monopoly of the nation‐state. He argues that as a result of economic and demographic change, the very foundations of each model are eroding. As a result certain groups not previously catered for in traditional welfare systems (particularly migrants, single parents, the young, the poorly skilled and low income nuclear families) are now facing social exclusion. Mingione’s analysis has abroad European focus, but also looks at the cases of specific cities (Rennes, Milan and Bremen among others) which demonstrate pressures on welfare services of a varied nature. The variety of local scenarios requires a localised response; though Mingione states that these should include: “three main ingredients: the development of forms of partnership between private and public agencies; activation and professionalisation of new and old institutions in the third sector [and] professional and coordinating abilities on the part of local authorities”.