B5386 - Political Theories of the Global (LM)

Learning outcomes

The course reconstructs and analyzes from the angle of political theory the processes that constitute the global dimension of our present, and introduces the student to the relevant critical literature. The course focuses on the structural changes involving contemporary societies, institutions and political processes, in particular in relation to infrastructure, logistics, the digital, finance and migration. At the end of the course, the student: will possess the methodological and conceptual tools to analyze the transformations involving contemporary capitalism, the state and political spaces; will be able to critically analyze the geopolitical level against the background of global processes; will be able to question the practices of politicization and subjectivation in relation to the global dimension.

Course contents

The course offers a theoretical-political reading of the main processes that have led to the emergence and constant redefinition of global space in relation to contemporary capitalism, contributing to the production of new political formations. Particular attention will be given to the need to update and redefine the political categories we use.

In the first part of the course, a conceptual and theoretical map of the transformations of the state will be provided, addressing the relationship between space, politics, economy, and power.

Subsequently, some of the processes that have defined the global between the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century will be introduced, with a focus on concepts such as zones, corridors, metropolises, and the cloud.

The course will specifically address the role of productive transformations, the political dimension of infrastructure and logistics, and the most recent developments in digitalization.

Throughout this analysis, the debates on multipolarity and the so-called deglobalization will be discussed, showing how these often offer an oversimplified image of the global and of the transformations affecting the states.

While taking into account the ruptures of the contemporary world, the course will show how these must be understood in light of the persistence and constant transformation of global processes that have contributed to shaping a new transnational dimension.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

The program for the exam is the following:

A. A general reference text:

Giorgio Grappi, Logistica, Roma, ediesse, 2016.

A. One of the following texts:

John Agnew, Hidden Geopolitics. Governance in a Globalized World, London, Rowman and Littlefield, 2023.

Alessandro Aresu, Le potenze del capitalismo politico. Stati Uniti e Cina, La Nave di Teseo, 2020 (capitoli da concordare con il docente).

Francesca Balestrieri e Luca Balestrieri, Tecnologie dell’impero. AI, quantum computing, 6G e la nuova geopolitica del potere, Roma, LUISS University Press, 2024.

Niccolò Cuppini, Metropoli Planetaria 4.0 βeta Testing. Genealogie urbane tra infrastrutture e conflitti, Meltemi, 2023.

Keller Easterling, Lo spazio in cui ci muoviamo. Infrastruttura come sistema operativo (2014), trad. it Roma, Treccani, 2019.

Mattia Frapporti, Governo materiale. Il potere politico delle infrastrutture, Meltemi, 2024.

Sandro Mezzadra, Brett Neilson, The Rest and the West. Capital and Power in a Multipolar World. London, Verso, 2024.

Sandro Mezzadra, Brett Neilson, Operazioni del capitale. Capitalismo contemporaneo tra sfruttamento ed estrazione, trad. It. Roma, manifestoliberi, 2021.

Maurizio Ricciardi, La politica dello Stato Globale. Democrazia, migrazioni e neoliberalismo nella società-mondo, Meltemi, 2025.

Saskia Sassen, Una sociologia della globalizzazione, trad. it. Roma, Einaudi, 2008.

Saskia Sassen, Territorio, Autorità, Diritti. Assemblaggi dal Medioevo all’età globale, trad. it. Mondadori, Milano, 2008, Capp. 1, 4, 8, 9 insieme a Giorgio Grappi, Infrastrutture e spazi politici nei processi globali: stati-piattaforma, agglomerati transnazionali, corridoi, Scienza & Politica, v. 45 N. 69, 2023.

Additional texts may be agreed with the teacher.

The indicated texts are regarded as general references for the course; further references will be provided during the classes.

Teaching methods

The course will be conducted mainly through lectures. However, ample space will be left for collective discussion and the active participation of students is suggested.

Assessment methods

The final examination is oral.

Non-attending students must bring text A plus a text from list B to be agreed with the teacher by e-mail.

Attending students may bring the same programme consisting of text A and a text from list B to be agreed with the teacher. Attending students are also allowed (and recommended) to submit a written paper (max. 30,000 characters) on a topic agreed with the teacher. The paper must be submitted one week before the exam date, during which it will be discussed with the teacher.

The assessment will take into account knowledge of the texts and the ability to identify the main arguments and critically discuss their contents. For attending students, the paper will be assessed on the basis of the ability to use and articulate different bibliographical sources, the argumentation and quality of the writing and the possible discussion during the exam. In addition, active involvement during the course will be positively assessed.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Giorgio Grappi