Abstract
The concept of «amoral familism», as introduced by Edward C. Banfield for explaining the backwardness of Southern Italy, has provoked many criticisms since the publication of his book «The Moral Basis of a Backward Society» (Italian edition 1961). Nonetheless, this concept has been used by several scholars for identifying a specific form of social structure, based on a strong family cohesion, a relatively weak civil society and distrust of the state. The article discusses the reasons underlying the success and influence of Banfield’s book and focuses on certain limitations of its analysis, with special reference to its deficiency at the analytical and theoretical level.
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