23676 - Economics of Non-Selfish Behaviours

Learning outcomes

The main purpose of the course is to introduce the student to an alternative (though not contrary) approach to mainstream economic theory. Recognizing the explicative inadequacies of the homo oeconomicus paradigm, the course aims at showing how the principle of reciprocity can be usefully utilized to expand the grasp on reality of economics. Several application to actual world problems will be offered.

Course contents

The perspective of civil economy: The birth of market economy; The constitutive principles of market economy; The evolution of market economy and its transformation into capitalistic economy; The emergence in the post-fordist epoch of the civil economic perspective.

 The individualistic philosophy and the behaviour of the homo oeconomicus, The line of thought from Hobbes-Mandeville to Bentham;  The peculiarities of axiological individualism; Instrumental rationality and Pareto criterion; Paradoxes and dilemmas of homo oeconomicus.

The homo reciprocans paradigm  Evolutionary game theory;Psycological games and identity;  The emergence of social norms of behaviour;Reciprocity and relational goods.

Application of the relational paradigm: The happiness paradox in advanced economies; The corporate social responsibility; Fair trade and critical consumption;Microfinance and policies against poverty.

Readings/Bibliography

Bruni L., Zamagni S., Economia Civile, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2004

Bruni L., Porta P. (Eds), Felicità ed economia, Guerini, Milano, 2004 (essays by Kahaeman D., Frank R., Pugno M.)

Sacco P., Zamagni S. (Eds), Complessità relazionale e comportamento economico, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2002 (essays by Pelligra V., Antoci A., Vanin P., Zarri L.)

Smerilli A., Teoria economica e relazioni interpersonali, Roma, 2003

Becchetti L., Paganetto L., Finanza etica e commercio equo e solidale, Donzelli, Roma, 2003

Sacconi L. (Eds), La responsabilità sociale dell’impresa, ABI, Roma, 2005

Viale R. (Eds), Le nuove economie, Il Sole 24 ore, Milano, 2005 

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Zamagni