Antinomies of Economic Development in Italy

This essay addresses a topic of great historiographical interest, that of territorial gaps between northern and southern Italy. The study is conducted from a peculiar point of view, that of the formation and role of the ruling classes in regional economic promotion. The notion of “mediating capitalism” analyzes the role of a ruling class whose strength lies not only in entrepreneurial talents, but also in the ability to establish relations with institutions, local, national and international.
In fact, after World War II, the ability of the ruling class to find institutional referents who were aware not only of the fragilities but also of the potential of this area was decisive in order to launch a season of civil and economic progress in Southern Italy.
The birth of Svimez, first, and of the Cassa per il Mezzogiorno, later, testify in good measure to the concrete results achieved by this ruling class.