Neoliberalism and privatization : from the theoretical framework to the Italian case. An analysis for the interpretation of the socio-spatial impacts

The present contribution aims at introducing the theoretical reference frame to historically and conceptually contextualize privatization, putting it in the wider context of neoliberal policies. In the first part the paper analyses some of the key words of neoliberalism, retracing its historical stages and emphasizing its economical and political components. Afterwards, it delves deeper into the phenomenon of privatization in the italian history and it focuses on privatization of public utilities in Italy, introducing the topic of inequalities and spatial imbalances. Finally the contribution centres upon the analysis of the social and spatial consequences of neoliberal policies in the public utilities sector, deepening the shift from usercitizen to user-consumer. Drawing attention to consequences for the consumer enables to raise useful questions to redefine the privatization process in terms of inequalities and right protection.