A study published in Econometrica analyzes 26 billion euros distributed to 77,000 Italian companies: when local politicians decide, each job costs 42 percent more

by Simone Ghislandi

by Letizia Mencarini

New research challenges the long-standing idea that political parties must concentrate power to function — and shows why internal democracy might be their secret weapon

A study by Cremaschi and De Vries shows that the devastation wreaked on Puglia’s olive trees by Xylella fueled resentment toward the government, strengthening support for radical parties. Where public services were found wanting, the agricultural disaster turned into a political fuse