Abstract

In a paper published in 1971, Giorgio Mori highlighted the gaps in the literature on Italian industry under fascism. This essay investigates what we learned from business history since the 1970s up to now. After an introductory overview, it focuses on the evolution of studies concerning autarky and multinationals, showing that the new evidence they have gathered has dispelled some long-standing myths. The paper also examines the persistence of several features of Italian capitalism before and after the Second World War. Concluding, it suggests that increased integration between macro-history and business history would yield fruitful results.