System-based, light and complex: industrial and local development policies in the thought of Giacomo Becattini

Giacomo Becattini’s thought has focused on the definition of industrial districts and their living mechanisms. However, he has also devoted some scholarly attention to (and put some practical efforts in) industrial and local development policies. After having discussed the central aspects of Becattini’s thinking on industrial and local development policies, which should be system-based, light and complex, the paper focuses on the main legacy of this approach. Becattini’s reflections on local development policies include many elements that somehow anticipate the current debate on system-based and place-based policies, which are discussed. Some evidences are also highlighted about potential system-based, light and complex policies in Italy. © 2017, Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale.