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SISSCO Research Seminar 2017-2018The Italian Middle Classes in the Twentieth Century.Politics, Representation, Business and Welfare in International Perspective CALL FOR PAPERSThroughout the twentieth century the growth of the middle classes was a fundamental force in social stability. Yet the recent dismantlement of state regulatory systems coupled with the impacts of an economic crisis that began in 2008 have deepened inequalities and reduced the middle classes. The vision of the middle classes as a social group in distress, destined to disappear because of the polarization between wealth and poverty, has been revived. Still, many scholars have suggested that the middle class could yet be a fulcrum for the formulation of new policies that insure greater economic and social cohesion and inclusion, noting that the importance of social relationships, economic initiatives and cultural practices that originate in the middle classes, often undervalued, can be essential assets toward social and systemic integration.The time has come for further reflection on the challenges of defining this diverse social group and deeper consideration of its changing roles and functions in historical perspective. Areas of particular interest include transformations in representations of the middle classes, measures that have been designed to protect the middle classes, and the capacity of the middle classes to respond to and overcome crises, in particular in business arenas. To that end, the organizing committee proposes a series of research conferences to survey the state of current knowledge and enlarge this area of historical research. The conferences will be held in Lecce, Florence, Bologna and Macerata (Italy) between Spring 2017 and Spring 2018.They will provide occasions for seminars that promote reflection and academic exchanges regarding ongoing studies of the social, political, economic, organizational and ideological-cultural aspects of the Italian middle classes in the twentieth century.Researchers are invited to submit proposals for seminar meetings. Proposed papers should address the following topics within the context of the Italian middle class in the twentieth century:• welfare and welfare policy measures• state structures, political parties, representations and associations• business and social mobility• lifestyles and consumption• development of new professions (including relationships between middle classes andfinancial groups and between middle classes and international organizations).Areas of particular interest include early forms of protection for the middle classes promoted in Italy and Europe at the start of the twentieth century; guarantee of social rights established by Italian Republic Constitution (health, education, work et cetera); representation and affiliation with associations and organizations, including new political parties; development of new occupations; lifestyle change and the symbolic and identity practices of the Italian middle classes during the 1950s and 1960s (the “Economic Miracle”) and the crisis of the 1970s; support provided to the Berlusconi platform.Given the need to understand the middle class more broadly within the general contexts of Europe and of globalization, the committee encourages contributions that provide international perspective. It also encourages proposals that offer comparative or interdisciplinary perspectives, including with regard to the definition of the middle classes in different contexts and periods.Paper proposals (title and summary abstract not exceeding 500 words, in Italian or English or French) accompanied by a short biographic statement (maximum 200 words) should be emailed to  seminariocetimedi@gmail.com. The deadline for the submission of proposals is November 20,2016.Decisions will be announced on December 20, 2016. Accepted proposals will be grouped into thematic sessions that will be held on specific dates. Presenters will be promptly informed of the date of their session. Presenters are required to provide a provisional text of their paper to the organizers two weeks in advance of their seminar date. Conference proceedings will be published in a monograph and/or special journal issue. The first workshop will take place in Lecce on March 28, 2017.Coordinators : Elisabetta Caroppo and Anna Pina Paladini Organizing CommitteeFrancesco Bartolini (University of Macerata), Davide Baviello (University of Firenze), Alessandra Cantagalli (University of Bologna), Elisabetta Caroppo (University of Salento), Anna Pina Paladini(University of Salento), Anna Pellegrino (University of Bologna) Scientific CommitteeArnaldo Bagnasco, Edoardo Bressan, Carlo Carboni, Anna Lucia Denitto, Monica Galfré, Vitantonio Gioia, Serge Jaumain, Heinz Gerhard Haupt, Maria Malatesta, Manuela Martini, Dora Marucco, Lilian Hilarie Pérez, Michele Romano, Maria Salvati, Giulio Sapelli, Marco Soresina PartnerLaboratoire ICT di Paris Diderot 7 Contact detailselisabetta.caroppo@unisalento.it; annapina.paladini@unisalento.it&#160;&#160;