Chapter Gli ospedali e l’assistenza come risposta alle diseguaglianze economiche. Un osservatorio dalla Toscana medievale.

Abstract

Two data points suffice to identify the links between hospitals and social needs at the height of medieval economic growth. The first is the direct responsibility assumed by municipal governments in the field of assistance, which became an integral part of the construction of the res publica. Furthermore, the variety of social protection mechanisms developed by welfare organizations documents an action that affected a large part of the population. The question we wish to address here is whether, and to what extent, the social impact of assistance was able to address economic inequalities. By looking at late medieval society through the lens of the responses implemented, we can ask, for example, what proportion (and what segment) of the population was reached, what needs were considered as such, what the objectives of the aid were and how they were implemented, and what can be considered effective in the short and long term. From this perspective, inequalities can be better understood in the light of the reality and perceptions of people at the time.