The chapter describes the evolution of regional policies for the Mezzogiorno in Republican Italy, by distinguishing several phases: success (1950-1973), distortion (1974-1992), blockage (1993-1996), reshaping (1997-2001), failure (2001 so far). It suggests that an exogenous leverage is necessary, through the introduction of procedures and institutions which are sufficiently insulated from the political cycle and the local ruling groups.