The course introduces the major themes in western political thought from ancient times to contemporary public life – the idea of democracy, the principles of political obligation, constitutionalism, the concept of civil and political rights, the relation between economy and politics, etc. – by analyzing their conceptual development in the works of major authors, and by focusing on the link between such themes and the social and institutional contexts.
Knowing and understanding the main features of the history of political thought, from ancient Greece to the 20th century, by retracing their historical context and by critically analyzing the thought of the most prominent authors.
Getting acquainted with the main themes of western political thought – and its many currents – through reading and commentary of classic and contemporary texts.
Traditional lectures plus direct participation of students by means, as well, of the online platform Aulaweb.
We, the People. Democracy (and its enemies) from Plato to populism
In a period of crisis, though real or presumed, of democratic ideals, this course will retrace the origin and evolution of such ideals; it will focus on political theorists who cherished democratic ideals as well as on those who criticized and questioned such ideals and their intrinsic value. A specific focus will be devoted to political obligation and civil disobedience in the American context and, on the other side, the current debate over the limits of western democratic systems.
For students who attend classes on a regular basis:
1) S. Petrucciani, Democrazia, Torino, Einaudi, 2014.
2) A book chosen among the following:
- T. Jefferson, I dilemmi della democrazia americana, Novi Ligure, Città del silenzio edizioni, 2007;
- H. D. Thoreau, Uomini non sudditi. Disobbedienza civile e altri saggi, Prato, Piano B edizioni, 2014.
3) A book chosen among the following:
- J. W. Müller, Cos’è il populismo?, Milano, Egea-Università Bocconi Editrice, 2017;
- E. Redaelli, Islamismo e democrazia, Milano, Vita e Pensiero, 2015;
- M. Van Reybrouck, Contro le elezioni. Perché votare non è più democratico, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2015;
- S. Weil, Contro i partiti, Prato, Piano B edizioni, 2017.
For students who do not attend classes on a regular basis
1) M. Salvadori, Democrazia. Storia di un'idea tra mito e realtà, Roma, Donzelli, 2016 (excl. chapters VI, XII, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XXII).
3) Two books chosen among the following:
Ricevimento: Tuesday 5-6 PM, DAFIST, Via Balbi 30/24 (7th floor).
ALBERTO GIORDANO (President)
MIRELLA PASINI
DANIELE ROLANDO
February 19, 2018
Oral exam
Assessment includes the observation of students' interaction and active participation while attending classes. The final examination will be an oral test.
Students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis, are kindly asked to get in touch with prof. Giordano by writing an e-mail to alberto.giordano@tiscali.it.
