A brief history of Italian mutual aid societies: their beginnings, their peak, and the current need for intervention in the sector

Abstract

In Italy friendly societies are little known to non-experts but are relevant realities whose legal nature and applicable regulations seem clear. Their centuries-old history shows that they thrive under democratic regimes and when government social policies prove unsatisfactory, and because of that they find themselves in a situation of excellent vitality today. However, their contribution in terms of supplementary healthcare still needs improvement, so it seems appropriate to intervene at a regulatory level, allowing them to carry out business activities and encouraging the creation of bigger societies.