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Was Putnam Wrong? The Determinants of Social Capital in Italy around 1900

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  • Gabriele Cappelli

Abstract

This paper challenges the view that social capital is persistent and mainly determined by historical accidents. New estimates of social capital across Italy's 69 provinces are provided for the Liberal Age (1871-1911). The analysis shows that historical legacies may affect social capital developments, but their role is downplayed once contemporary social, institutional and economic features are considered. These factors deserve more attention than they are normally granted. This new evidence shows that the concept of social capital as a resource embedded in social ties should not be used to foster «culturalist» and deterministic explanations of Italy's regional divide. The results call for a renewed theory of social capital formation beyond the country's specific context, with implications for public policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriele Cappelli, 2017. "Was Putnam Wrong? The Determinants of Social Capital in Italy around 1900," Rivista di storia economica, Società editrice il Mulino, issue 3, pages 277-314.
    • Handle: RePEc:mul:jrkmxm:doi:10.1410/89359:y:2017:i:3:p:277-314
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariella, Vitantonio, 2022. "The agrarian origins of social capital," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 543-568.
    2. Gianluca Russo, 2018. "World War I and the Rise of Fascism in Italy," Boston University - Department of Economics - The Institute for Economic Development Working Papers Series dp-341, Boston University - Department of Economics, revised May 2020.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    social capital; Italy; determinants; land inequality; regional divide. JEL codes: N 43; N93; O17; R10.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N93 - Economic History - - Regional and Urban History - - - Europe: Pre-1913
    • O17 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements

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