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The Size of Political Jurisdictions: Evidence from a Fascist Consolidation

Author

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  • Guido de Blasio
  • Alberto Dalmazzo
  • Monica Andini

Abstract

The paper uses the consolidation of municipalities brought about by the Fascist dictatorship in Italy during the 1920s to gauge the role of the size of local jurisdictions for economic development. It finds that the consolidation was associated with relevant net welfare gains for the communities involved. In particular, the advantages related to the bigger economies of scale made possible in jurisdictions of larger size overwhelmed the costs owing to the higher heterogeneity.

Suggested Citation

  • Guido de Blasio & Alberto Dalmazzo & Monica Andini, 2013. "The Size of Political Jurisdictions: Evidence from a Fascist Consolidation," ERSA conference papers ersa13p276, European Regional Science Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wiwrsa:ersa13p276
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    File URL: https://www-sre.wu.ac.at/ersa/ersaconfs/ersa13/ERSA2013_paper_00276.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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