Latifundium

Latifundium, written by Marta Petrusewicz, examines the history of the aristocratic Barracco family and their estate in nineteenth-century Italy. This history book explores how the estate operated within the latifondism system, tracing its growth through strategic marriages and strict primogeniture policies. By analyzing personal records, the text details the production of agricultural foodstuffs, livestock, and manufactured goods like yarn. This volume 1 provides a detailed look at the transition from feudal structures to a capitalistic economic model.

The study of Latifundium challenges existing dependency theories by demonstrating that a market economy existed in southern Italy prior to national unification. It offers a comprehensive overview of south Italian social history, political life, and industrial struggles. As a work of history, it provides significant insights into European class structures, agricultural practices, and the evolution of land ownership. This book serves as a scholarly resource for those studying the complex economic shifts of the nineteenth century.