Ateneo - UPO

The course will consider the development of the political thought in the contemporary age, by focusing on specific topics: a) absolutism; b) constitutionalism; c) liberalism; d) socialism; e) totalitarianism; f) democracy.

R. Gherardi, La politica e gli Stati. Problemi e figure del pensiero occidentale, Roma, Carocci, 2022, parte II (only the chapters: Machiavelli, Bodin, Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Smith, Il federalista, Kant, Marx, Constant, Tocqueville, Mill, Mosca, Weber, Gramsci, Kelsen, Schmitt, Arendt, Ralws)

The students will examine the connection between law, politics, sociology and economy in the history of Western thought.

Good knowledge of the history of law and constitutionalism.

The course will be mainly organized on the basis of traditional lessons by the teacher, but it will also offer exercises and seminars. Attendance is suggested.

The teacher will discuss with the students the opportunity of programming an intermediate or final written test. Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services- students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The final exam will be oral. Evaluation criteria: - 18-22: basic understanding of the texts; - 23-26: good understanding of the texts and oral exposure; - 27-30: excellent understanding of the texts, oral exposure and critical review of content.

The course will consider the history of modern and contemporary political thought, focusing on the contribution of the classics: 1 Machiavelli and the origins of modern political thought; 2. Bodin, Hobbes and absolutism; 3. Locke, Montesquieu and costitutionalism; 4. Rousseau and direct democracy; 5. Smith and political economy; 6. Hamilton, Kant, federalism and perpetual peace; 7. Constant, Tocqueville, Mill and liberalism; 8. Marx and scientific socialism; 9. Weber, Mosca and theory of élites; 10. Gramsci and comunism; 11. Schmitt and decisionism; 14. Arendt and totalitarianism; 15. Kelsen, Ralws and democratic thought.

The students will acquire the capacity of connecting the legal culture to the historical development of political, economic and social thought in the modern and contemporary age.