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Surnames in local newspapers and social mobility

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  • Massimo Baldini
  • Andrea Barigazzi

Abstract

This paper exploits an innovative data source, the surnames contained in local newspapers during almost a century in the Italian Province of Modena (NUTS-3 level), to study the phenomenon of social mobility over time. Based on the hypothesis that the surnames that appear in the newspapers have a particular social relevance, the study of changes in the frequency distribution of the set of surnames over time allows to identify periods of greater or lower social mobility. The results show that the periods of greatest change have been the years of transition between democracy and the fascist regime and vice versa, and the 1980s. A strong regression towards the mean in the relative importance of surnames is also observed.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimo Baldini & Andrea Barigazzi, 2023. "Surnames in local newspapers and social mobility," Center for the Analysis of Public Policies (CAPP) 0181, Universita di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Economia "Marco Biagi".
    • Handle: RePEc:mod:cappmo:0181
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    References listed on IDEAS

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