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Starting in 1990, a series of legislative measures have been re-shaping the Italian wel fare state, as judged by the aims behind the reforms of the 1970s, which had defined social rights in the field of social and health services. At the same time, these changes have been redefining the roles, rights and duties of the different actors involved: not only citizens, but also state, local government, service workers, trade unions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and families. Behind these changes lie financial constraints and increasing social dis satisfaction with the unfilfilled promises of the 1970s. However, the main legitimizing force has been the requirements of the Maastricht Treaty, in terms of national budget deficits. Rather than being a mere 'retrenchment' of the state, this process may be interpreted as an attempt to change the balance within the Ita lian welfare mix. As a consequence of these changes, both universalist social rights and particularist vested interests are being affected in complicated and interrelated ways.