What went wrong with Italy, and what the country should now fight for in Europe

Sergio Cesaratto () and Gennaro Zezza

Department of Economics University of Siena from Department of Economics, University of Siena

Abstract: In this paper we briefly review the evolution of the Italian economy in the post-war period, discussing the shift from a first period when fiscal policy was targeted – among other things – at full employment, to a later period when controlling inflation through a “foreign discipline” became the main policy target. We review critically the literature on the Italian productivity slowdown, suggesting that it neglects the role of aggregate demand, and of labor market reforms, on productivity. Finally, we discuss Eurozone imbalances, suggesting that Eurozone institutions adopt new rules to keep the interest rate low enough to make public debt sustainable, while using fiscal policy to stimulate growth

Keywords: Italy; stagnation; Eurozone; imbalances (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E44 E52 E62 F45 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eec and nep-mac
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Working Paper: What went wrong with Italy, and what the country should now fight for in Europe (2018)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:usi:wpaper:786

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