Wars, depression, and Fascism: Income inequality in Italy, 1900-1950

Arbeitspapier

This paper shows yearly estimates of income inequality in Italy from 1900 to 1950. By constructing dynamic social tables, we comprehensively assess inequality across all components of Italian society. In a context of declining inequality across Europe, interwar Italy reveals a singular trajectory with a rise in inequality during WW1, markedly reversed during 1918-1922, resumed after the March on Rome and with a further increase during WW2. While consolidating the reinterpretation of inequality in interwar Europe, by showing so far overlooked short-term distributive shocks in Italy, our findings confirm the regressive nature of Italian Fascism.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: LEM Working Paper Series ; No. 2022/26

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Personal Income, Wealth, and Their Distributions ; Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity ; Aggregate Factor Income Distribution ; Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials ; Economic History: Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy: Europe: 1913-
• Subject: Fascist Italy ; income inequality ; interwar Europe ; dynamic social tables

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Gómez León, Maria ; Gabbuti, Giacomo
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Laboratory of Economics and Management (LEM)
• (where): Pisa
• (when): 2022

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/273628
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET