I’ve heard it argued that Southern Italy was never the same after Hannibal tramped around it for years, and it’s the reason it’s a mess to this day.
Southern Italy was richer than the North for quite a while after that. In the 12th century, the Norman kingdom in Sicily and Apulia was the richest state in Europe other than the Byzantine Empire.
Southern Italy was the prosperous and unified kingdom of Naples when Northern Italy was a morass of foreign occupied areas, the Papal States, and warring city states. Then the Spanish kings took over.
And as we can see from our part of the world, wherever the Spaniards were in charge for 15 minutes has been f$#ked up for the next 500 years, or perhaps forever. However, the Spaniards were also in charge of many regions in Northern Italy, as well. Go figure.
Breaking up Italy seems like a dumb idea to me. Would we think of kicking out Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana just because they absorb more than they contribute in taxes? That would make all of us in Maine very nervous. ( This state is so poor we'd have to join Nova Scotia, or God forbid, Quebec. And after all, was us Maine fellows what won the Civil War. You owe us.)
Besides, Northern Italians are overdressed PIAs. They are more or less like their southern compatriots but refuse to admit it, idiotically believing themselves somewhat different racially. I lived and worked out of Milan, so I know these things. (Loved the place.)
BTW, Hannibal tramped all over Italy. Southern Italy is certainly not a mess, despite what the Lega Lombarda says. It just has a few messy parts of towns, and nothing as bad as Detroit. It's a lot like non-desert California. Fabulous uncrowded beaches. Napoli? Well yeah, that is a mess, but a charming mess with some of the world's greatest museums, very beautiful stylish women and some truly fabulous neighborhoods. LA, but with more slums, much better restaurants, and a whole lot more culture. And boy, is it old!
I like Mr. Berlusconi. I really like Mrs. Berlusconi, especially after watching Mrs. Clinton on TV in her pants suit. But Italy already has federated regions and regional parliaments, which is one reason nothing ever gets done.
When the Southerners ask for more money, instead of breaking up, they could just say "no."
This isn't ALL about the money either. It's a Muslim thingy.