Giovanni Demaria and the Rockefeller foundation

Recent historiography on the interest of Italian economists in American economic thought is becoming rich and valuable. Thanks to these sources, we know that this interest arose because several Italian economists were attracted by the realism featured in North American economic investigation, by the importance attributed to both statistical measurement and historical analysis, and by the pluralism of approaches and vital eclecticism of American social scientists. Among Italian economists, Luigi Einaudi acknowledged such scientific vitality, and held the role of advisor for the selection of Italian candidates for Rockefeller fellowships.With Luigi De Simone of the University of Naples, the second Italian economist selected for a study program in the United States was Giovanni Demaria, who established a long-lasting relationship with the Rockefeller Foundation (1930-1958): first as a student (1930-1931), then as the Rector of the Bocconi University (1947-1952), and finally as an authoritative economist and the President of the Società Italiana degli Economisti (1953-1958).