Research
Working Papers:
Working Papers:
This paper investigates the impact of a 2014 reform that extended term limits for mayors of Italian towns with population under 3,000 residents, transitioning from two to three consecutive terms. Exploiting the fact that the reform was not anticipated by incumbent second-term mayors, I estimate separately three main channels through which this policy shift may have impacted local government performance: mayors’ tenure, electoral accountability, and electoral selection. My results indicate that the overall effect of the reform on voters’ welfare was negative. In particular, I uncover a negative tenure effects in the speed of payments in investment spending and in the supply of general administrative service. Specifically, third-term mayors exhibit a decline in performance compared to their second-term. A possible explanation for this performance drop is a decrease in motivation that arise during the concluding stretch of extended tenures as mayor of a small municipality. In such contexts, the mayor’s job tend to become repetitive and less engaging over time. My findings can be of relevance for policymakers contemplating similar reforms for small subnational local governments.
This paper investigates the impact of a 2014 reform that extended term limits for mayors of Italian towns with population under 3,000 residents, transitioning from two to three consecutive terms. Exploiting the fact that the reform was not anticipated by incumbent second-term mayors, I estimate separately three main channels through which this policy shift may have impacted local government performance: mayors’ tenure, electoral accountability, and electoral selection. My results indicate that the overall effect of the reform on voters’ welfare was negative. In particular, I uncover a negative tenure effects in the speed of payments in investment spending and in the supply of general administrative service. Specifically, third-term mayors exhibit a decline in performance compared to their second-term. A possible explanation for this performance drop is a decrease in motivation that arise during the concluding stretch of extended tenures as mayor of a small municipality. In such contexts, the mayor’s job tend to become repetitive and less engaging over time. My findings can be of relevance for policymakers contemplating similar reforms for small subnational local governments.
EUI Working Group, CSEF Lunch Seminar, SIEP conference Cagliari 2024, SIE conference L'Aquila 2024, Bank of Italy Florence.
Local biased sex-ratios and female labor market outcomes: Evidence from Italy, with Marco Cozzani and Francesco Colombo.
VisitINPS project. (draft available soon)
EUI Working Group, CSEF Lunch Seminar, SIEP conference Cagliari 2024, SIE conference L'Aquila 2024, Bank of Italy Florence.
Local biased sex-ratios and female labor market outcomes: Evidence from Italy, with Marco Cozzani and Francesco Colombo.
VisitINPS project. (draft available soon)
Women’s rising labor force participation (LFP) has been a major economic shift in developed countries. In Italy, female LFP grew significantly during the late 20th century, yet remains over 10 percent below other advanced economies, with marked North-South disparities. This study examines the long-term effects of World War I on female LFP in Italy. The war led to over half a million Italian casualties, significantly altering local sex ratios. This demographic shock may have pushed women into the workforce post-war, reshaping labor norms. Using INPS (Italy's National Institue for Socail Security) records and census data, we track Italian women born between 1910 and 1940, assessing their labor market participation and marital outcomes. We find that higher WWI casualties are linked to increased female LFP, likely due to intergenerational transmission of work norms. Women raised in communities with high female employment developed more progressive labor views, influencing future generations. Additionally, we explore the link between this demographic shift and divorce rates, as divorce legalization in 1974 reflected evolving gender norms. This research contributes to the literature on historical shocks, cultural transmission, and gender roles in labor markets.
Women’s rising labor force participation (LFP) has been a major economic shift in developed countries. In Italy, female LFP grew significantly during the late 20th century, yet remains over 10 percent below other advanced economies, with marked North-South disparities. This study examines the long-term effects of World War I on female LFP in Italy. The war led to over half a million Italian casualties, significantly altering local sex ratios. This demographic shock may have pushed women into the workforce post-war, reshaping labor norms. Using INPS (Italy's National Institue for Socail Security) records and census data, we track Italian women born between 1910 and 1940, assessing their labor market participation and marital outcomes. We find that higher WWI casualties are linked to increased female LFP, likely due to intergenerational transmission of work norms. Women raised in communities with high female employment developed more progressive labor views, influencing future generations. Additionally, we explore the link between this demographic shift and divorce rates, as divorce legalization in 1974 reflected evolving gender norms. This research contributes to the literature on historical shocks, cultural transmission, and gender roles in labor markets.
INPS internal seminar, INPS workshop on Gender Economics, Rome, December 2024.
Social Class and Economic Policy Enactment among Municipal Executives , with Ari Ray
INPS internal seminar, INPS workshop on Gender Economics, Rome, December 2024.
Social Class and Economic Policy Enactment among Municipal Executives , with Ari Ray
Policy work:
Policy work:
Italy: The challenges of the NGEU program, opportunities and constraints. This report is commissioned and funded by the LUHNIP of Università Luiss, Roma.
Italy: The challenges of the NGEU program, opportunities and constraints. This report is commissioned and funded by the LUHNIP of Università Luiss, Roma.