Popolo chi? Classi popolari, periferie e politica in Italia

This edited volume investigates the relationship between popular classes and politics in contemporary Italy. Based on qualitative research conducted in urban peripheral neighborhoods, the book explores how people living in socially and economically disadvantaged contexts perceive political institutions, social conflicts, immigration, and media narratives. Through interviews and theoretical reflections, the contributors challenge dominant interpretations portraying popular classes as inherently authoritarian or politically disengaged. Instead, the study reveals complex attitudes toward politics, widespread demand for social protection, and ambivalent relationships with political representation, offering new insights into the dynamics between participation, representation and inequality in contemporary democracies.