Description
Book SynopsisItaly is a country of recent decline and long-standing idiosyncratic traits. A rich society served by an advanced manufacturing economy, where the rule of law is weak and political accountability low, it has long been in downward spiral alimented by corruption and clientelism. From this spiral has emerged an equilibrium as consistent as it is inefficient, that raises serious obstacles to economic and democratic development. The Political Economy of Italy''s Decline explains the causes of Italy''s downward trajectory, and explains how the country can shift to a fairer and more efficient system. Analysing both political economic literature and the history of Italy from 1861 onwards, The Political Economy of Italy''s Decline argues that the deeper roots of the decline lie in the political economy of growth. It places emphasis on the country''s convergence to the productivity frontier and the evolution of its social order and institutions to illuminate the origins and evolution of the curr
Trade ReviewCapussela's book is a must-read for those who see to understand Italy's decline[and] will find an intelligent and passionate guide to a country whose fate will reverberate far beyond its borders. * Gunnar Mokosh, PhD Candidate, Department of Political Science, Brown University, The International Spectator *
Andrea Capussela has a tale to tell - and he does it well. This book could not have appeared at a more opportune moment as it seeks to illuminate Italy's Byzantine world of politics and economics, providing lucid insights. It is a sobering account and the author pulls no punches with his straightforward narrative... Capussela certainly offers a journey through modern Italian politics and economics well worth taking. * Mathew D. Rose, Brave New Europe *
Italy's relative decline is a matter of rising concern to its politicians, business leaders, citizens, and partners in Europe. In his incisive, illuminating book, Andrea Capussela analyses the factors behind Italy's decline with the forensic skills of an economist, social scientist, historian, and lawyer. * Tony Barber, Europe Editor and former Rome bureau chief of the Financial Times *
Everybody who worries about Europe should worry about Italy. Everybody who worries about Italy should read this book. * Martin Heipertz, Head of the European Policy Division, Federal Ministry of Finance, Berlin *
With elegant erudition Andrea Capussela charts Italy's post-War rise and recent decline. But the lessons are wider. For Italy in the past 70 years had to face all the problems afflicting the rest of the Western world today: the left-right split, demagogical politicians, corruption, regional inequalities, migration, terrorism, constitutional debates. It was truly the laboratory of the West now as it was in the Middle Ages, and Capussela's book draws the lessons with broad applicability. * Branko Milanović, author of Global Inequality *
Andrea Capussela has written an excellent book. Highly documented and compellingly argued, his analysis of Italy's long-term decline is convincing (as well as disturbing for many Italians). There is much to be learned from Capussela even when disagreeing with him and challenging some of his conclusions. Most certainly a book to be read and pondered. * Gianfranco Pasquino, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Bologna *
Table of Contents1: Introduction: Italy's decline, the existing interpretations, and our hypothesis 2: The conceptual framework: growth, institutions, and social orders 3: The conceptual framework: collective action, trust, culture, and ideas 4: Vicious circles and multiple equilibria: the spiral 5: Italy's social order between unification and Fascism 6: The formation of the republican institutions 7: The 'economic miracle' and an ambitious reform programme 8: Continuity and instability: the spiral sets in 9: The last four decades: the spiral unperturbed, halted, resumed 10: Conclusions
