B0068 - ISTITUZIONI, DECISIONI E CAMBIAMENTO

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on the topic of stability and institutional change, with particular attention to political institutions, decision-making processes and their effects on institutional change. Specific attention is paid to the transformations of democracy in the digital age. By the end of the course, students are able to analyse and interpret the trajectories of institutional change; they are able to problematise the relationship between new technologies and democracy.

Course contents

The course will deal with the most important theoretical perspectives on institutions and institutional change, focusing on the rational choice approach to studying institutions. Four main topics will be addressed: coordination; cooperation; problems in group decision-making; the delegation problem. Examples of the questions we will address are the following: how do institutions help solving collective action dilemmas? When do institutions persist and when do they change? Is there any optimal method for group decision-making? What are the cost and benefits of delegation? The course aims at providing theoretical tools to deal with this kind of questions.

Readings/Bibliography

A detailed syllabus will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures aim at introducing students to the core tenets of the course. Seminars  aim at provide occasions for students’ presentations and in-depth discussions of class materials.

Assessment methods

For students who ATTEND the class:

Class attendance/participation: 30%

Oral presentation: 30%

Written paper: 40%

Students who are NOT ABLE TO ATTEND: oral exam (50%) and written paper (50%)

A reading list will be provided at the beginning of the course

Office hours

See the website of Daniela Giannetti