Single currency implications Evidence from the North-South Italian divide, 1870-1914

Abstract: The thesis investigates the effects of the Italian Monetary Union on the North and South Italian development from 1870 to 1914. Through a quantitative analysis of the Italian Lira’s exchange rate and regional export prices, the work observes a loss in the competitiveness of Southern export-oriented entities compared to the Northern ones. However, under the thesis perspective, the impact of the single currency on the North-South regional development is marginal.