Many academics, politicians and other influential people have contributed to "Meridionalism" (meridionalismo), opinions, and research, analysis and policy proposals regarding the south of Italy.
The historian Pasquale Villari (1827-1917), the politician Sidney Sonnino (1847-1922) and the publicist Leopoldo Franchetti ( 1847-1917) were among the first to study in depth the effect of annexation to the Kingdom of Italy.