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Doctors, partitocrazia, and the Italian state
1Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115.
The Milbank Quarterly
|January 1, 1988
Summary
In Italy, political parties heavily influence professions, including medicine. Despite state attempts to control healthcare costs, the medical profession unified in opposition, increasing its collective strength.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of professions
- Political science
- Health policy analysis
Background:
- Political and economic factors shape professional social standing globally.
- In Italy, political parties exert significant control over professional autonomy.
- The Italian medical profession's structure reflects historical political party divisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the impact of political party influence on professional autonomy in Italy.
- To examine the relationship between state healthcare reforms and professional organization.
- To challenge existing models of professional autonomy by incorporating political party dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of the Italian healthcare system.
- Historical review of the medical profession's development in Italy.
- Examination of the Italian national health service's impact on professional unity.
Main Results:
- Political parties in Italy extensively control professional functioning.
- The Italian national health service inadvertently unified the medical profession against state control.
- Professional organizations (ordini) in Italy mirror political party differences.
Conclusions:
- Standard models of professional autonomy are insufficient without considering political party influence.
- The Italian case highlights the critical role of political parties in shaping professional landscapes.
- State intervention in healthcare can paradoxically strengthen professional solidarity through opposition.