The New Intesa Sanpaolo Chair in Political Economics at Bocconi

Guido Tabellini, full professor and former rector of Università Bocconi, is the holder of the new Intesa Sanpaolo Chair in Political Economics, the dedicated and permanent chair inaugurated this afternoon with a Lectio inauguralis.

The Intesa Sanpaolo Chair in Political Economics will study economic policy, both from a positive and a normative point of view, with a strong focus on growth and economic development. Economists agree that political institutions, intended in a broad sense, are a main factor in economic development. Many studies have highlighted how, on the one hand, the workings of institutions influence growth and how, on the other, culture (i.e. informal institutions) affects the workings of institutions and consequently economic development. Building on this basis, Intesa Sanpaolo Chair in Political Economics' research program will focus on the aspects of national and European institutions that can foster the reforms needed for growth.

To dedicate a permanent chair means contributing to the University endowment with a philanthropic donation. Bocconi invests the endowment and the yield is used to finance the activity of research, teaching and dissemination of the chair.

The new chair is an important step in the development path that has been linking Bocconi and Intesa Sanpaolo for years, with the Bank being a strategic partner of the University.

The cooperation started in 2006. In 2008 Intesa Sanpaolo turned into a Bocconi Strategic Partner with a five-year agreement to support the research centers of the University, including CAREFIN - Centre for Applied Research in Finance and "Paolo Baffi" Center on International Markets, Money and Regulation and to finance Donato Masciandaro's Chair in Economics and Financial Regulation.