Abstract

GARCIA-MARTINEZ, José María. Consequences of structural adjustment policies in southern Europe. Universitas [online]. 2021, n.35, pp.187-205. ISSN 1390-8634.  https://doi.org/10.17163/uni.n35.2021.09.

This paper analyzes the changes operated in Italy and Spain on the first decades of the 21st century. Through a transdisciplinary study on social sciences and the analysis of statistical information compiled in reports and official databases, this article has the aim of gather empirical evidence of the political transformations occurred in both countries as a result of the spread of neoliberal ideology and the implementing of structural adjustment programs. This research comprehends the implementing of neoliberal policies from the decade of the 1980s as well as its social consequences, intensified since the second half of 2010s decade. One of the main conclusions found in this study lies in that the different policies conducted by national governments, under the aegis of Structural Adjustment Programs decreed by institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, drove an economy like Spain to a severe situation where the lack of adequate employment and the structural political constraints prevent a great part of workers from accessing to employment in fair conditions and critically restrict their life expectations, forcing ample sectors of the population to migrate abroad. The article tackles the contradictions between neoliberal policies and precapitalist structures existing in Italy and Spain, with the aim to outline questions that contribute to finding political alternatives in favor of greater social and economic democratization.

Keywords : Unemployment; Europe; migration; corruption; youth; poverty; neoliberalism; crisis.

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