The Growth of the Italian Economy, 1820–1960 (New Studies in Economic and Social History, Series Number 44)

Italy was a poor, backward country compared with its neighbors to the north and west in 1861. Most of its people were farmers relying on traditional techniques and ancient forms of organization to survive. Few would have believed that within a century, the country would become one of the largest industrial powerhouses, and its people among the wealthiest in the world. This book provides a brief, up-to-date account of the literature that chronicles Italy's remarkable growth and structural change, emphasizing new views on old issues. This Volume 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 Re-evaluation 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.--jacket. Measuring Change In The Long Run: The Data -- The Big Picture: Models Of Growth And Structural Change -- Modernization Versus Tradition: New Views And Old On Agriculture -- Against All Odds? The Growth Of Industry And Services -- Macroeconomic Policy, Institutions, And The Balance Of Payments -- An Economic Miracle? Italy In The Golden Age, 1945-1963. Prepared For The Economic History Society By Jon Cohen And Giovanni Federico. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 113-131) And Index. 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. Examines Italy's transformation from a largely rural state in the nineteenth century to today's industrial powerhouse. Jon Cohen and Giovanni Federico provide a concise, up-to-date survey of the process of economic development, highlighting new views on old issues, and signalling areas in need of further research A Brief, Up-to-date Account Of Italy's Transformation From An Agrarian State To An Industrial Powerhouse. 1.1 Italy ranks today as one of the seven largest industrial countries in the world.