Vitantonio Mariella was a post-doc researcher at the IRPPS – Italian National Research Council in Rome in the PRIN Project  INNOGLOBA. His research interests include economic history, economic growth, structural change and the economics of innovation. His research focuses on the role of inequality and political power in determining educational levels and the long-term impact of employment relationships on social capital. Recently, he has focused his research on the role of public-private cooperation in adopting new technologies and stimulating innovation. He now carries out research activities at theUniversity of Bergamo.