Political Science

This course is part of the Laurea Magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrolment is by permission of the instructor. The course is divided into 2 modules. Module 1 builds on empirical analysis from current diplomatic practices, and module 2 is a historiographic-based course. 

The program for module 1 is as follows:
1.  The evolution of the functions of the professional diplomat;
2.  Bilateral relations: construction of privileged partnerships;
3.  When a dispute freezes the bilateral relationship: the case of the Italian Marines;
4.  Multilateralism today;
5. Conflicts, prevention, the fragmented world in which we live;
6. The consular function: at the service of Italians abroad;
7.  Economic diplomacy: the new functions of public support for internationalization;
8. Economic diplomacy: the Farnesina as an "Agency" for the promotion of our Country. Nation Branding and integrated promotion;
9. Economic diplomacy: the path from export to internationalization that many companies still have to complete and some to consolidate;
10. A glance to the future: the role of the professional diplomat in the years to come.

Module 2 focuses on the interplay between diplomacy and international economic relations from a historiographic point of view. It covers a period that spans from the immediate aftermath of WWII to the early XXIst century. This module explores a set of case studies that pertain to the diplomatic, economic, and political transformations of the international system as it emerged since the start of the Cold War. Classes are organized as follows:
1. XX century diplomacy;
2. Bilateral relations.;
3. Diplomatic discords;
4. The origins of multilateralism;
5. Failed agreements;
6. Migrations and diplomacy;
7. The history of the European Economic Community (I);
8. The history of the European Economic Community (II);
9. The web of international economic organization between the Cold War and the early-post Cold War era;
10. Diplomatic and economic challenges in the early XXI century.

This course is part of the laurea magistrale degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by permission of the instructor. Students develop a critical approach to the diffusion and use of digital technologies. They are expected to acquire a preliminary knowledge of the historical context of these innovations to strengthen their understanding of the challenges posed by digitization. Students consider art as a field in which these technologies are both applied and criticized. By the end of the course, students are able to evaluate the variegated cultural and political imaginaries that are contributing to shaping digital innovations.

The course is articulated into the three parts. First, the course frames a political genealogy of the digital technologies, highlighting the philosophical issues they pose. For this reason, a brief history from the birth of internet to the success of platform capitalism and the expectations on artificial intelligence are presented. Then, the discussion focuses on some of the main cultural paradigms about technological innovations (Californian Ideology, Transhumanism, Accelerationism, etc.) to analyze the way they frame the relationship between the "digital" and the “human”. The last part is more collaborative and interactive with guest experts facilitating a workshop on art curatorship and digital technologies, and students presenting their response papers to course topics.

The course examines the role of power and politics in international economic relations. Besides international structural factors, it emphasizes the role of domestic political interests and their influence over foreign economic policies. Major approaches covered include historical views on international political economy, and contemporary systemic theories of international cooperation, interest groups politics, ideas and institutions. The course provides an overview and explanation of the international monetary and trade systems since 1944. It also discusses current debates on trade, monetary policy, the political roots of financial crises, globalization and the retreat of the state, and environmental protection.

This course studies how political institutions shape economic outcomes and how key social and economic factors, such as education, the media, and lobbying, shape political outcomes. It also covers contemporary issues in political economics, such as the causes/consequences of the rise in populism and political polarization, the political economics of climate change, and conflict and violence. The course has a strong empirical focus and covers latest empirical evidence in political economics. Hence, beyond political economics, the course deepens knowledge of cutting-edge empirical methods for causal inference ("applied microeconomics") and deepens experience in applying those methods to (large) datasets in practice. Part 1 explores economic theories seeking to understand political behavior and its implications for economic policies and institutions, as well as how modern empirical methods are used in political economics analysis. Part 2 uses these methods to study three key areas of empirical political economics: 1) how political institutions--such as democratic- and non-democratic forms of government--shape economic outcomes; 2) how key social and economic factors, such as education, the media, and lobbying, shape political outcomes; 3) contemporary issues in political economics (including, among other topics, the causes and consequences of the rise in populism and political polarization; the political economics of climate change; conflict and violence). 
(Bocconi also offers courses 30335-Political Economics, as part of the degree program in Intl Politics & Govt.)

What is (in)security? Who are the subjects and objects of (in)security in contemporary politics? What is the role of gender, race, and class in creating different forms of (in)securities? The course Critical Security Studies analyzes the concept of security in political science and international relations and offer a radical rethinking of traditional perspectives based on critical theories. Starting from an understanding of mainstream debates in security studies, the course broadens what are considered security-related topics (by going beyond the discourse on armed conflict and the military) and develops the ways in which we analyze them. To do so, this course approaches the concept of security with theoretical and methodological lenses, using creative, art-based, and narrative methods for security analysis. Through this course, students familiarize themselves with contemporary security issues and learn to formulate research problems relevant to global and everyday (in)securities based on critical perspectives.
 

This course examines competing hypotheses on the role of geography, institutions, and culture for long-term economic growth and cross-country differences in economic outcomes. It also studies the role of religion (and religiosity) for accumulation of human capital and economic progress. Finally, the course analyzes how cultural distance may affect migrants’ assimilation and it studies how local culture and institutions shape technological progress and inflows of innovative ideas. 
Themes discussed include: The Role of Geography for Economic Growth and Development; The Role of Institutions for Economic Growth and Development; The Role of Culture for Economic Growth and Development; The beginning of modern economic growth: geography, institutions, and culture; The Interaction between Culture and Institutions; Flows of Technology and Flows of Ideas; The Economics of Religion; Diversity, migration, and assimilation. 

The creation and implementation of public policy is fundamentally political. Every policy, whether it be economic, social, about health and wealth, or security, comes at the end of a political calculation. The leaders and bureaucrats who write, pass, and enforce public policies operate within political environments that shape and constrain their behavior. The study of public policy, then, is the study of optimal public policy, taking seriously the mitigating effects of the political process. This course is designed to introduce you to this area of study and practice. 

The first half of the course explores the main issues and theoretical frameworks within the field of public policy while developing methods in which to analyze, explain, and predict such phenomena (e.g. assessing the probability that a government provides programmatic as opposed to particularistic goods). The second half of the course utilizes these tools with which to understand actual policy in Japan, going through topics such as the politics behind budget processes; energy politics in light of the 3/11 disaster; constitutional change, and Japan's response to the COVID pandemic. 

This course is an introduction to the theories and issues in the international public policy, focused primarily on economic policy, given how critical this issue is to domestic and international cooperation. In particular, the course examines the political, economic, and social conditions conducive to the development of cooperative behavior on a global scale. The main questions and puzzles in this sub-field, and the discipline's best answers to date, will be covered.

The course analyzes the political and policy-making processes in contemporary Greece, Italy, and Spain. The study of the three countries is placed into a strong comparative perspective with particular attention focusing on (a) the common historical traits that shaped their political culture and development, (b) the similarities and contrasts of their political institutions and policy-making processes, (c) the nature of party political competition, (d) the impact of EU membership on their political systems and on their political economy, and (e) their foreign policy orientation.