Still together, after all: consensual dynamics and the persistence of the growth paradigm among left-wing groups in Italy

Battaglia, Fabio and Fifi, Gianmarco ORCID: 0000-0001-5524-3366 (2025) Still together, after all: consensual dynamics and the persistence of the growth paradigm among left-wing groups in Italy. Globalizations. ISSN 1474-7731

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Abstract

Whilst left-wing groups' increasing acceptance of fiscal austerity and anti-inflationary policies is well documented, less attention has been placed on their positions vis-à-vis the pursuit of economic growth, a key pillar of neoliberal ideology, and whether these ideas are affected during critical junctures. This article fills this gap by investigating the following questions: what are the stances of left-wing groups on the pursuit of economic growth, and do such positions persist or change in periods of economic crisis? The research focuses on Italy, a country where left-wing groups have long supported the ‘beyond GDP’ agenda and which was severely affected by the 2011 Eurozone crisis. It finds that left-wing groups see the pursuit of increasing economic growth as a prerequisite for well-being and social justice more generally. This, we argue, suggests that the endurance of the growth paradigm is primarily the result of widespread consensus rather than externally imposed constraints.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	© 2025 The Author(s)
Divisions:	Social Policy
Subjects:	J Political Science > JC Political theory H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe)
Date Deposited:	09 Jul 2025 09:57
Last Modified:	20 Oct 2025 18:01
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/128737

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