Economy and Society: Past, Present and Perspectives
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
Learning objectives are coherent with the general objectives of the degree course (applied, specialized knowledge) and with the formation of specific professional figures required by the job opportunities of to-day labor market
The course will foster the active involvement of students in the learning process through plenary discussions and the writing of papers on key topics, as swell as the coordination and interaction with other teachers.
The Economy and Society course aims at developing the basic critical skills which are necessary to appraise the relationships between economy and society and to analyse the great transition taking place in to-day world, i.e. the deep, manyfold transformation in labor, enterprise, markets, institutions and social relations, that is induced by the scientific-technological revolution and global modernization. This critical analysis is made with regard to both the theories of classical social science thinkers and the empirical research of contemporary scholars. More specifically, the concepts, methods and theoretical models of Economic Sociology and Political Economy are applied to the study of processes of production, distribution, exchange and consumption, providing an alternative approach to the hegemonic neo-liberal paradigm in contemporary economics.
The course will foster the active involvement of students in the learning process through plenary discussions and the writing of papers on key topics, as swell as the coordination and interaction with other teachers.
The Economy and Society course aims at developing the basic critical skills which are necessary to appraise the relationships between economy and society and to analyse the great transition taking place in to-day world, i.e. the deep, manyfold transformation in labor, enterprise, markets, institutions and social relations, that is induced by the scientific-technological revolution and global modernization. This critical analysis is made with regard to both the theories of classical social science thinkers and the empirical research of contemporary scholars. More specifically, the concepts, methods and theoretical models of Economic Sociology and Political Economy are applied to the study of processes of production, distribution, exchange and consumption, providing an alternative approach to the hegemonic neo-liberal paradigm in contemporary economics.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcome of the Economy and Society course is synthetically that students obtain the knowledge and expertise necessary to understand and critically discuss public issues in political institutions, economic relations, media, scientific and technological research and to act in the public sphere in order to orient with the policy choices of decision makers evidence-based knowledge. Economy and Society, together with the other courses of the 1st year, will focus on the analysis of
key changes in the social and economic scenario, the interplay between global networks and local identities, the strategy and organization of key actors, the main political and institutional responses to transformation and crisis , the conflicts of interests and moral dilemmas underlying collective choices, and the middle and long-term implications of these choices.
key changes in the social and economic scenario, the interplay between global networks and local identities, the strategy and organization of key actors, the main political and institutional responses to transformation and crisis , the conflicts of interests and moral dilemmas underlying collective choices, and the middle and long-term implications of these choices.
Lesson period: Second trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second trimester
Course syllabus
Syllabus (40 hours)
1-2: Main definitions of Economic Sociology. The relationship between economy and society: classical economics (Adam Smith); the political economy of Karl Marx.
3-4: The relationship between economy and society: Max Weber's Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft.
5-6: Joseph Schumpeter's theory of entrepreneurship and the crisis of capitalism.
7-8: Karl Polanyi's analysis of the great transformation and comparative anthropology of economic institutions.
9-10: Talcott Parsons' general theory of action: the economy as a functional sub-system.
11-12: The process of modernization, different paths toward and through modernity. The post-Second World War sociology of modernization, its critics and alternative approaches.
13-14: The theories of radical and unaccomplished modernity (Habermas, Touraine,Giddens, Beck,Wagner).
15-16: The development of the world economy from 1945 to the present.The impact on economy and society of the scientific-technological revolution (ICT, AI); the crisis of Fordism, post-industrial society, transnational corporations, global productive nerworks and supply chains).
17-18: The development of the world politics from 1945 to the present. The bipolarism and cold war, the collapse of the USSR, the rise of China, the debate on US hegemony.
19-20: Contemporaty globalization; the relationships between market, state and community actors at the international level and their strategies of global governance.
21-22: The sociology of factors of production 1,labor. Globalization, Artificial intelligence and the transformation of work organization and the labor market; international migrations, offshoring.
23-24: The sociology of factors of production2,capital.The rise of global finance. Main causes, consequences, exit strategies of the global financial crisis,
25-26:The sociology of factors of production 3,land. The economy and the environment; the competition for key resources ( energy, minerals, food, water, land).The 2030 UN paradigm of sustainable and inclusive economic development and climate change; SDGs, main actors the strategies to achieve them.
27-28: The relationships between market, state and community at the national level; multiple modernities; varieties of capitalism (welfare regimes, education and professional training, industrial relations).
29-30: The relationships between market, state and community at the supranational level: the case of the EU as a closely integrated economic system coupled with an incomplete political union and a highly diverse society. The political-institutional architecture of the EU.
31-32: Parties, elections and pressure groups. National populism as a reaction to economic stagnation and democratic crises.The question of the European identity.
33-34: The European welfare state and the question of inequalities.
35-36: The evolution of the European economy.The EU exit strategy from the global financial crisis. EU competitiveness in the world economy.
37-38: Covid19 as a crucial testing ground for European integration, its impact of Covid19 pandemia on national economies and societies and the response of the EU (Next Generation EU, eurobonds; new union taxes; the role of the European Council, Commission,Parliament and Central Bank).
39-40: The EU in global politics. The response to Russia's invasion of the Ukraine: the UE role within Nato, the European army, the objective of strategic autonomy, the management of the energy crisis.
1-2: Main definitions of Economic Sociology. The relationship between economy and society: classical economics (Adam Smith); the political economy of Karl Marx.
3-4: The relationship between economy and society: Max Weber's Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft.
5-6: Joseph Schumpeter's theory of entrepreneurship and the crisis of capitalism.
7-8: Karl Polanyi's analysis of the great transformation and comparative anthropology of economic institutions.
9-10: Talcott Parsons' general theory of action: the economy as a functional sub-system.
11-12: The process of modernization, different paths toward and through modernity. The post-Second World War sociology of modernization, its critics and alternative approaches.
13-14: The theories of radical and unaccomplished modernity (Habermas, Touraine,Giddens, Beck,Wagner).
15-16: The development of the world economy from 1945 to the present.The impact on economy and society of the scientific-technological revolution (ICT, AI); the crisis of Fordism, post-industrial society, transnational corporations, global productive nerworks and supply chains).
17-18: The development of the world politics from 1945 to the present. The bipolarism and cold war, the collapse of the USSR, the rise of China, the debate on US hegemony.
19-20: Contemporaty globalization; the relationships between market, state and community actors at the international level and their strategies of global governance.
21-22: The sociology of factors of production 1,labor. Globalization, Artificial intelligence and the transformation of work organization and the labor market; international migrations, offshoring.
23-24: The sociology of factors of production2,capital.The rise of global finance. Main causes, consequences, exit strategies of the global financial crisis,
25-26:The sociology of factors of production 3,land. The economy and the environment; the competition for key resources ( energy, minerals, food, water, land).The 2030 UN paradigm of sustainable and inclusive economic development and climate change; SDGs, main actors the strategies to achieve them.
27-28: The relationships between market, state and community at the national level; multiple modernities; varieties of capitalism (welfare regimes, education and professional training, industrial relations).
29-30: The relationships between market, state and community at the supranational level: the case of the EU as a closely integrated economic system coupled with an incomplete political union and a highly diverse society. The political-institutional architecture of the EU.
31-32: Parties, elections and pressure groups. National populism as a reaction to economic stagnation and democratic crises.The question of the European identity.
33-34: The European welfare state and the question of inequalities.
35-36: The evolution of the European economy.The EU exit strategy from the global financial crisis. EU competitiveness in the world economy.
37-38: Covid19 as a crucial testing ground for European integration, its impact of Covid19 pandemia on national economies and societies and the response of the EU (Next Generation EU, eurobonds; new union taxes; the role of the European Council, Commission,Parliament and Central Bank).
39-40: The EU in global politics. The response to Russia's invasion of the Ukraine: the UE role within Nato, the European army, the objective of strategic autonomy, the management of the energy crisis.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowlegde in Sociology, Political Science and Economics
Teaching methods
Classes will include critical interpreations by the teacher of main theories and most relevant research literature in Economic Sociology, as well as plenary discussions of reading materials and presentations of group works by students.
Teaching Resources
Readings:
Martinelli A. & N.J.Smelser "Economic Sociology: Historical Threads and Analytical Issues" in Martinelli & Smelser eds. Economy and Society, p.1-50, Sage,1992.
Martinelli A. Global Modernization, Sage,2005.
Martinelli A. and A. Cavalli, European Society, Brill, 2021, paperback, chapters 1,2,9,10,12,13, conclusions.
Martinelli A. "The EU Response to Covid19", Quaderni di Scienza politica, 2021.
Martinelli A. & N.J.Smelser "Economic Sociology: Historical Threads and Analytical Issues" in Martinelli & Smelser eds. Economy and Society, p.1-50, Sage,1992.
Martinelli A. Global Modernization, Sage,2005.
Martinelli A. and A. Cavalli, European Society, Brill, 2021, paperback, chapters 1,2,9,10,12,13, conclusions.
Martinelli A. "The EU Response to Covid19", Quaderni di Scienza politica, 2021.
Assessment methods and Criteria
For students attending the lectures there will be an oral exam on the topics which are presented and developed in the course through lectures, plenary discussions of books and essays and students' group works.
Students not attending the lectures should prepare an additional volume.
Students not attending the lectures should prepare an additional volume.
SECS-P/04 - HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHT - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Martinelli Alberto
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Martinelli Alberto