«Contro gli oziosi e i mendicanti» Progetti di riforma del sistema assistenziale genovese negli ultimi decenni del XVIII secolo

This paper focuses on the reform proposal of the welfare structures in the Repubblic of Genoa during the second half of the eighteenth century. The purpose of the work is to uncover that they weren’t realized for two reasons: the high level of bureaucracy and the bad financial condition of the Ufficio dei Poveri, the most important charitable institution in Genoa. Studying the documentation of the Ufficio dei Poveri we can see that it made some changes despite the general situation of apathy. This institution decided to follow the enlightened ideas of cutting the number of bread distributions and reduce the admissions in the hospice (of Albergo dei Poveri), choosing only capable persons. In this way needy people could be employed in the Albergo dei Poveri’s factories, improving their production.