The Apulian Spring, Twenty Years Later

Authors

  • Gabriele Di Palma PhD, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”

Keywords:

apulian spring, realistic evaluation, populism, progressive policies, distributional effects

Abstract

The Apulian Spring has meant for a region of the South of Italy the attempt to reach an autonomous path to development. Twenty years later, is it possible to evaluate the main regional policies and the distributional effects on the population? The study aims to contribute to the debate on populism. According to the planning documents, Apulian Spring tried to transform economic and political regional institutions, making them more inclusive. Discussing the transformation of one of the least developed European regions in an attractive place can help understand the effects of progressive policies, in the age of right-wing populism.

Author Biography

Gabriele Di Palma, PhD, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”

Gabriele Di Palma holds a PHD in Sociology from the University of Bari. During his studies he focused on urban collaborative planning and evaluation through quali-quantitative Geographic Information Systems. He is an expert in welfare and education policies, and in his professional career he worked for third sector organizations and public bodies designing, managing and monitoring projects and programs addressed to vulnerable people.

References

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La Malfa, U. (1973), Nota Aggiuntiva alla Relazione generale sulla situazione economica del Paese al 1961, presentata alla Camera il 22 Maggio 1962, Cagliari, Edizione Janus.

Pawson, R., & Tilley, N. (1997), Realistic Evaluation, London, Sage Publications.

Przeworski, A. (1991), «The Political Dynamics of Economic Reforms: East and South», in G. Hernes, A. Przeworski, & J. Elster (Eds.), Democracy and the Market. Political and Economic Reforms in

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Published

2025-08-31

How to Cite

Di Palma, G. (2025). The Apulian Spring, Twenty Years Later. Community Notebook. People, Education and Welfare in the Society 5.0, (2), 87–95. Retrieved from https://www.quadernidicomunita.it/index.php/qdc/article/view/332

Issue

No. 2 (2025): The Challenges And Opportunities Of Evaluation: From Theory To Practice

Section

Empowerment Column

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Community Notebook. People, Education and Welfare in the Society 5.0

Creative Commons License

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