There is a broad consensus that the current, large U.S. current-account deficits financed with foreign capital inflows at low interest rates cannot continue forever; there is much less consensus on when the system is likely to end and how badly it will end. The paper resurrects the basic...

In the next few years, the Italian financial system will face the challenges of an increasingly competitive environment. The need for change is however constrained by the traditional structure of the Italian economy (with large numbers of small firms and marked regional disparities). This paper...

In this paper we analyze the new geography of the Italian banking system that has arisen after the integration of banking structures in recent years. The analysis of the evolution of the banking system is based on the concept of distance. In particular, we do not only refer to the traditional...

Bank deregulation and progress in information technology altered the geographical diffusion of banking structures and instruments, and reduced operational distance between banks and local economies. Although, the consolidation of the banking industry promoted the geographical concentration of...

In this comprehensive original reference work, the editors have brought together an unrivalled group of distinguished scholars and practitioners to comment on the historical and contemporary role of industrial districts (IDs).

The current international monetary system (IMS) is fragile because the dollar standard is rapidly deteriorating. The dual role the dollar as the dominant international money and national money cannot be easily reconciled because the US monetary authorities face a conflict between pursuing...

Over the last ten years there have been great strides made in the analysis of the regional structure of banking systems and financial integration both from the theoretical and empirical point of view. Experience shows that the financial structure tends to be hierarchical with an advanced...