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The size of political jurisdictions: A model with some evidence from a fascist consolidation

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  • Andini, Monica
  • Dalmazzo, Alberto
  • de Blasio, Guido

Abstract

We present a model that explains how population movements reflect the welfare properties of local jurisdiction size. Then, we use the consolidation of municipalities brought about by the fascist dictatorship in Italy during the 1920s to provide some suggestive evidence on theory's predictions. Our empirical findings hint that the consolidation was associated with net welfare gains for the communities involved.

Suggested Citation

  • Andini, Monica & Dalmazzo, Alberto & de Blasio, Guido, 2017. "The size of political jurisdictions: A model with some evidence from a fascist consolidation," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(4), pages 889-909.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jcecon:v:45:y:2017:i:4:p:889-909
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2016.08.005
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    Cited by:

    1. Dalmazzo, Alberto & de Blasio, Guido & Poy, Samuele, 2018. "Local secessions, homophily, and growth. A model with some evidence from the regions of Abruzzo and Molise (Italy, 1963)," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 284-306.
    2. Blesse Sebastian & Rösel Felix, 2017. "Was bringen kommunale Gebietsreformen?: Kausale Evidenz zu Hoffnungen, Risiken und alternativen Instrumenten," Perspektiven der Wirtschaftspolitik, De Gruyter, vol. 18(4), pages 307-324, November.
    3. Carlo Ciccarelli & Alberto Dalmazzo & Daniela Vuri, 2021. "Home Sweet Home: the Effect of Sugar Protectionism on Emigration in Italy, 1876‐1913," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(4), pages 925-957, August.
    4. Accetturo, Antonio & Cascarano, Michele & de Blasio, Guido, 2024. "Pirate attacks and the shape of the Italian urban system," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    5. Giulio Cainelli & Carlo Ciccarelli & Roberto Ganau, 2021. "Administrative reforms, urban hierarchy, and local population growth. Lessons from Italian unification," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 2109, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Feb 2021.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    City size; Local government; Local economic development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • H10 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - General
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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