Essays on the Effects of Non-State Institutions on Economic and Political Outcomes in Italy

Human societies are intricate systems in which various actors engage in a struggle for dominance. The Latin proverb "Homo homini lupus est" is a testament to that, and still holds up nowadays. This is evident on multiple dimensions, often beyond the individual scope. At a collective level, countries' sociopolitical and economic outcomes are shaped not only by the actions of the state but also by non-state institutions, such as organizations, interest groups, and social movements, have an inherent ability to influence political decision-making and socioeconomic dynamics. Over the course of time, history has witnessed an ongoing shift in power from the State to alternative non-political actors with interests in economic profit and influence over the masses - two elements that are crucial to secure a position of power in any society. This complex interplay between state and non-state institutions inevitably ends up affecting several outcomes. Interest groups may indeed play a significant role in societal dynamics, translating, in some instances, into improvements that may benefit some fractions of the population. Yet, the potential drawbacks of their influence must be carefully examined as well. For instance, while interest groups may advocate for policies that benefit their members, they may also seek to advance their own self-interest at the expense of the common good. Or again, non-state institutions with purely commercial interests may prioritize their own profits over the welfare of citizens or the stability of the economy. In other cases, the objectives of interest groups may even8 be illegitimate and their modus operandi, abusive. As a consequence, their impact on the socioeconomic fabric will end up being highly detrimental. In the case of Italy, among the most prominent non-institutional bodies that fit this description there are, arguably, criminal organizations. In the last decades, Italian governments have made considerable efforts to fight mafia infiltration at a local level. Chapter 1 presents a review of the literature on the topic, whereas Chapters 2 and 3 provide the assessment of the effectiveness of two antimafia policies on the Italian housing market. Another (legitimate) influential non-state institutions in Italy, the Catholic Church, has had a profound impact on the country's socioeconomic and political landscapes, too. As the largest religious institution in Italy, the Catholic Church carries significant leverage in the political arena, often affecting decision-making processes and policy direction. Unsurprisingly, this massive influence has challenged secularism processes, especially in Italy. Chapter 4 is framed in this context, and it attempts to provide an empirical answer to the extent of Catholic Church's ability to steer believers' civic involvement in a peculiar historical setting.