Sebastiano Brusco and the Italian School of Local Development

The essay, presented as opening lecture at the first edition of the Summer School of Local Development “Sebastiano Brusco” (Seneghe, July 2006), outlines the original contribution of Sebastiano Brusco on two related issues: theory and tools for analyzing the industrial structure and for designing development policy. Her we enlighten some distinctive elements apparently running through all Brusco’s work, from the youth years in Sardinia, spent in cultural and political activities alongside Antonio Pigliaru, till the more mature studies on industrial districts. In Brusco’s thought, a central role is played by knowledge, competence, information, education and training: as far as small firms productive systems, industrial districts, and also less developed areas are concerned. An innovative approach to policy design and intervention stems from this view, stressing mechanisms able to diffusely affect capacity, learning and perception of opportunities.