Abstract
In the 1970s, new representative institutions were created in the twenty regions that make up Italy. The Italian government wanted to bring governance closer to the people, so that 'the citizens of Seveso and Pietrapertosa were now directed to nearby Milan and Potenza rather than distant Rome'. Putnam is very enthusiastic, as this institutional creation represents an 'unparalleled opportunity' to have 'a comparative study of the dynamics and ecology of institutional development'. However, Putnam probably did not expect back in 1970 that he would draw from the Italian cases conclusions that could have a significant importance for the development of third world countries. I will start the review of his book by examining the design of Putnam's research. I will then follow his arguments and his findings, before finally critically assess his work with the help of other scholars.
