(Im)Migration Research in Italy: A European Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This article analyzes research on (im)migration in Italy since the early 1980s until the present as compared to research in other European receiving countries. Two periods are singled out. In the 1980s, the need to make sense of the dramatic Italian U-turn from an emigration to an immigration country prevails. Since the mid-1990s, some trends toward convergence emerge, following a number of theoretical and methodological challenges arising from North American research. Whereas for sociologist and anthropologist much of the debate is on social networks and transnationalism, in political science the gradual emerging of a policy approach to migration studies can be pointed out. However, despite the consolidating research infrastructure, there are still open questions and gaps in contemporary research on migration in Italy, for instance, secondgenerations, immigrants' associational and political participation, and last but not least, the impact of the European Union on Italian immigration and immigrant policy as well as policy making.

Migrants and Refugees: Bottom-Up and DIY Spaces in Italy

“…These cases, even if seemingly diverse, highlight a peculiarity of Italian policies for migrants: a lack of interest from national bodies and the outsourcing of settlement and welfare policies to local authorities and civil society's organisations (Caponio, 2008). Whereas sometimes such responsibilities are entrusted directly to local authorities, more often the civil society activates spontaneously to fill the gaps left by the national government (Caponio, 2008).…”

“…These cases, even if seemingly diverse, highlight a peculiarity of Italian policies for migrants: a lack of interest from national bodies and the outsourcing of settlement and welfare policies to local authorities and civil society's organisations (Caponio, 2008). Whereas sometimes such responsibilities are entrusted directly to local authorities, more often the civil society activates spontaneously to fill the gaps left by the national government (Caponio, 2008). Against this backdrop, these two cases allow us to shed light on the forms of informal activation from civil society actors: On the one hand there are NGOs, ethnic organisations and voluntary associations that put in place informal but organized bottom-up practices; on the other hand, individuals or groups who mobilized through DIY practices of use of space.…”

Contact and Threat: Factors Affecting Views on Increasing Immigration in Japan

“…), and Australia (Mughan and Paxton ). To a lesser extent, literature is also available on newer countries of immigration, primarily in Western Europe, including Germany (Martin ), France (Fassin ), and Italy (Caponio ; Trinci ). The literature typically identifies two main schools of thought in considering public opinion toward immigration: contact theory and group threat theory.…”

“…Much of the research considering immigration in the developed world looks to countries that have historically received large numbers of immigrants, such as the United States (Brader et al 2008;Ha 2010), Canada (Bilodeau et al 2012), andAustralia (Mughan andPaxton 2006). To a lesser extent, literature is also available on newer countries of immigration, primarily in Western Europe, including Germany (Martin 2004), France (Fassin 2005), and Italy (Caponio 2008;Trinci 2004). The literature typically identifies two main schools of thought in considering public opinion toward immigration: contact theory and group threat theory.…”

Immigration control in Italian political elite debates: Changing policy frames in Italy, 1980s–2000s

“…This article 1 is a contribution to the study of immigration politics and policy in Italy. As a review article has recently stressed (Caponio, 2008), while there is an abundance of literature analysing the socio-economic features of immigration into Italy and its historical development (e.g. Macioti and Pugliese, 2003; Sciortino and Colombo, 2004a), often in the broader context of immigration into southern European countries (King et al, 2000), the literature investigating Italian immigration policy/politics is still under-developed.…”