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

Cohen, Jon; Federico, Giovanni

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0521661501 ISBN 13: 9780521661508

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2001

Synopsis

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.

About this title

Book Description:

In 1861, Italy was a poor, backward country compared with its neighbours to the north and west: most of its people were farmers relying on traditional techniques and ancient forms of organization to scratch a living. Few would have believed that within a century, the country would have 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 this remarkable growth and structural change, emphasizing new views on old issues.

Review:

"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

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0521661501
• ISBN 13: 9780521661508
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 146