Document Type
Discussion Paper
Publication Date
8-1-2017
CFDP Number
2097
CFDP Pages
54
Journal of Economic Literature (JEL) Code(s)
N43, D74, P16, Z10
Abstract
We study how cultural distance affects the rejection of imposed institutions. To this purpose, we exploit the transplantation of Piedmontese institutions on Southern Italy which occurred during the Italian unification. We assemble a novel and unique dataset containing information on episodes of brigandage, a form of violent uprising against the unitary government, at the municipal level. We use geographic distance from local settlements of Piedmontese descent as a proxy for cultural distance between each municipality and the new rulers. We find robust evidence that cultural distance from the origins of the transplanted institutions is significantly associated with more intense resistance to these institutions. Our results further suggest that the rejection of the transplanted institutions may have a long lasting effect on political participation.
Recommended Citation
Lecce, Giampaolo; Ogliari, Laura; and Orlando, Tommaso, "Resistance to Institutions and Cultural Distance: Brigandage in Post-Unification Italy" (2017). Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers. 186.
https://elischolar.library.yale.edu/cowles-discussion-paper-series/186