Chapter Round table comments

Overview & Synopsis

The comments made at the round table focused first of all on the sources (fiscal, notarial and other) and methodology (the necessary combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches, including prosopography and individual trajectories) for the study of social mobility. Secondly, the need for context was stressed in order to better understand and explain the results. In particular, in the chronology that concerns us, the rise and development of the so-called fiscal state, from the 14th century onwards, with the need for an ever larger and more specialised administrative bureaucracy, as well as the opportunities for prosperity and social advancement, through the tenure of political posts or the pursuit of an administrative career. Finally, the importance of cultural, sociological and anthropological aspects (such as consumption, living standards, emulation, ostentation), hitherto rather overlooked, is highlighted.