The Growth of the Italian Economy, 1820–1960
This volume in the New Studies in Economic and Social History series examines Italy's transformation from a largely rural state in the nineteenth century to today's industrial powerhouse. At the time of unification in 1861, much of the country was backward, poor, and agrarian: few would have believed that a hundred years later Italy would become one of the seven largest industrial countries, its people among the wealthiest in the world. This process of development and structural change has generated an enormous and evolving literature, alive with controversies and compelling insights. New research and reinterpretation of existing data have led to a reevaluation of the nature of Italian Dualism, while revisions to national income accounts are modifying the traditional picture of economic growth. Jon Cohen and Giovanni Federico provide a concise, up-to-date account of this literature, highlighting new views on old issues, and signalling areas in need of further research.
- Concise but complete review of the literature on the growth and structural change in Italy 1820–1963
- Emphasis on controversies and new views on old issues
- Only book of this sort available in either English or Italian
Reviews & endorsements
"Strengths of the book are its brevity, the lively, incisive writing, and the author's willingness to take a stand...together with the masterful literature review and bibliography, make the book a virtual do it yourself kit for producing a research agenda in Italian economic history." EH.NET, Brian A'Hearn, Department of Economics, Franklin & Marshall College
"Jon Cohen and Giovanni Federico provide a concise, up-to-date account of this literature, highlighting new views on old issues, and signaling areas in need of further research." Italian Journal
"...concise and exhaustive account of the rhythms, sectors, and politics of Italy's structural economic changes. They offer a critical review of the very broad literature produced by economic and business historians in the last decades." Autumn 2002
"This short book ...is best considered the equivalent of a literature review of modern Italian economic history.... On balance... this is a fine book, and the bibliography is a gold mine. Any researcher beginning to examine Italy in the modern period could do no better than to start with it." Choice
Product details
October 2001Paperback
9780521666923
146 pages
221 × 140 × 15 mm
0.29kg
9 tables
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Measuring change in the long run: the data
- 3. The big picture: models of growth and structural change
- 4. Modernization versus tradition: new views and old on agriculture
- 5. Against all odds? The growth of industry and services
- 6. Macroeconomic policy, institutions, and the balance of payments
- 7. An economic miracle? Italy in the Golden Age, 1945–63
- 8. Conclusion.