Risorse e transizioni: l'esperienza dell'età giolittiana

This article examines the role of forms of social capital in supporting transitions of a social and political system from an old to a new economic paradigm. It does so by comparing the role of these forms in two cases of transitions experienced by the city of Turin: the one in late 19th century from administrative capital to industrial centre and the contemporary one from an industrial economic base to a service-sector one. It shows that longue duree social structures can be the crucial factor in sustaining a successful transition, provided they are consistent with the requirements of the new paradigm. In the case of present-day Turin, it points to the existence of positive attitudes to toleration and innovation as key resources for the new service and information economic paradigm.