47306 - Civil Economy

Learning outcomes

The course analyzes the working of economic institutions and their evolution according to the approach of civili economy. At the end of the course the student will acquire the knowledge of the civil economy, the instruments of game theory to analyze social behaviour and the relational paradigm to be applied to the beahavioural studies of non profit organizations.

Course contents

1. The civil economy approach: birth of the market economy; the basic principles of the market economy; the evolution of the market economy towards a capitalist market economy; the causes of the return, in today's economies, to a civil economy approach.

2. The philosophy of individualism and the behaviour of homo oeconomicus: the Hobbes-Mandeville-Bentham line of thinking; core elements of axiological individualism; instrumental rationality and Pareto criterion; paradoxes and dilemmas of the homo oeconomicus.

3. The homo reciprocans paradigm: evolutionary games theory; psychological and identity games; the rise of social norms of behaviour; the principle of reciprocity and relational goods.

4. Applications of the relational paradigm: the happiness paradoxes in advanced economies; corporate social responsibility; fair trade and critical consumption; microfinance and the sharing economy; the ethical challenge of the 4th industrial revolution.

Readings/Bibliography

D. Acemoglu, J. Robinson, Why nations fail?, New York, Croen Business, 2012

B. Frey, a. Stutzer, Economia e felicità, Il Sole24Ore, Milano, 2006

L. Bruni, S. Zamagni, Economia civile, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2016

L. Bruni, P. Porta (eds.), Felicità ed economia, Guerini, Milano, 2004

P. Sacco, S. Zamagni (eds.), Teoria economica e relazioni interpersonali, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2006

D. Dal Maso, G. Fiorentini (eds.), Creare valore a lungo termine, Egea, Milano, 2013

L. Bruni, S. Zamagni (eds.), Dizionario di economia civile, Roma, Città Nuova, 2009

L. Bruni, S. Zamagni (eds.), Handbook of the economics of reciprocity and social enterprise, Elgar, Cheltenham, 2013

G. Dragonetti, Trattato delle virtù e dei premi, Roma, Carocci 2012 (riedizione)

V. Pelligra, I paradossi della fiducia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2003.

S. Zamagni, Prudenza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2016

S. Zamagni, Impresa responsabile e mercato civile, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013

G. Pizzo, G. Tagliavini (eds.), Dizionario di microfinanza, Roma, Carocci, 2015

Teaching methods

Lectures and in class discussions

Assessment methods

A final paper of at least 6000 words, which can be a critical discussion of the literature on one of the themes indicated by the teacher or an original theoretical or empirical contribution. A plain summary will not be considered adequate. The paper must be delivered within six months from the end of the course to the email address of the teacher. Evaluation of the results and grades will be communicated directly by the teacher by mail.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Zamagni