Economic and Political Determinants of Land Occupation in Basilicata

Journal title QA Rivista dell’Associazione Rossi-Doria
Author/s Marco Percoco
Publishing Year 2014 Issue 2013/4
Language Italian Pages 20 P. 79-98 File size 370 KB
DOI 10.3280/QU2013-004003
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An extensive literature has analyzed civil and ethnic wars in the developing countries, reaching the widely accepted conclusion that income inequality is among the most important determinants of social unrest. Relatively less attention has been devoted to peasant uprisings calling for the distribution of land, which also characterized Italy in the aftermath of World War II. This paper aims to analyze from an econometric perspective the occupation of land in Basilicata that occurred in 1949-1950. Our analysis shows that land inequality was an important determinant of occupation, together with the strength of the Communist Party, which acted as coordinator of the uprisings. EconLit Classification: D72, O13, O17, Q15

Keywords: Land distribution, Peasant riots, Local development

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Marco Percoco, L’occupazione delle terre in Basilicata: determinanti politiche ed economiche in "QA Rivista dell’Associazione Rossi-Doria" 4/2013, pp 79-98, DOI: 10.3280/QU2013-004003