Disuguaglianza e crescita: un’analisi empirica applicata all’esperienza recente delle regioni italiane

This paper examines the relationship between inequality and growth in the Italian regions in the period 1990-2004. Our results support the conjecture, formulated by the most recent economic theory, that greater inequality in the distribution of personal incomes reduces real growth. Furthermore, a detailed examination of the possible influence mechanisms of inequality on growth shows that both the credit rationing and the social instability channel are relevant in explaining the empirical evidence considered. Our analysis ultimately suggests that a decrease in income inequality in the Southern regions, achieved through adequate redistributive policies in the area, might contribute to reducing the lag in the economic development of the Mezzogiorno.