CAPITALISM AND THE DIGITAL AND GREEN TRANSITION

Anno accademico 2025/2026 - Docente: DAVIDE LUCA ARCIDIACONO

Risultati di apprendimento attesi

Knowledge of the main operating mechanisms of capitalist economic systems

Knowledge of the relevance of the institutional and social dimensions of the economic process

Development of a critical analysis of globalization and its impact on the main economic issues

Development of a  critical analysis of the social impact of digital and green transitions

Development of analytical skills in a comparative perspective

Modalità di svolgimento dell'insegnamento

Lectures on introductory basic concepts for comparative analysis of socio-economic institutions and policies. Thematic seminars with experts and researchers on related topics,  Workgroups in class to discuss emerging or related issues, also taking inspiration from international press articles. Students will be also involved in the analysis and discussion of European directives and Reports on related issues, in particular about innovation policies, digital and green transitions.

Prerequisiti richiesti

Basic knowledge in sociology and economics

Frequenza lezioni

Mandatory presence at lectures and facultative participation in group works

Contenuti del corso

The course will examine the main features of the sociological analysis of economic phenomena and the main differences in the organization of the capitalist system between convergence and diversity through the conceptual and analytical categories of economic sociology, particularly comparative political economy. Moreover, the course provides students with the theoretical and methodological basis for the comparative analysis of labor policies (models, features, objectives, effects). The perspective of Economic Sociology will be essential in this course to try to deepen some crucial global issues: varieties of Capitalisms, Digital and Ecological Transition, notions, indicators, and data sources for labor market analysis, occupational models, and welfare regimes in transition.

Testi di riferimento

•Trigilia C., Economic Sociology, Blackwell, 2002, from page 1 to 35, from page 119 to 134, from page 237 to 255


•Hancke, Debating Varieties of Capitalism, Oxford UP, 2009 (only chapter 1, 2, 8 and 9)

P. De Beer, T. Schils, The labour market triangle. Employment Protection, Unemployment Compensation and Activation in Europe, Edward Elgar, 2009, pp. 1-25 (C. 1) and 198-220 (C. 9

F. Berton, M. Richiardi, S. Sacchi, The political economy of work security and flexibility, The Policy Press, 2012, pp. 1-60 (Cs. 1-3) and 147-153 (C. 8)

José van Dijck, Thomas Poell, Martijn de Waal, The Platform Society, OUP, 2018  (chapter 1 and 2)
Blewitt, J. Understanding sustainable development, Routledge, 2018 ( chapters 1, 2, 3)

Programmazione del corso

 ArgomentiRiferimenti testi
1from page 1 to 35, from page 119 to 134, from page 237 to 255
2from page 1 to 45
3only chapter 1, 2, 8 and 9
4pp. 1-25 (C. 1) and 198-220 (C. 9)
5pp. 1-60 (Cs. 1-3) and 147-153 (C. 8)
6  chapter 1 and 2
7 chapters 1, 2, 3

Verifica dell'apprendimento

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

Oral presentation/debate and a final written essay on a specific topic assigned.The presentation will specifically test knowledge of concepts and theories related to innovation and digital/green transition, as well as the acquisition of appropriate language on the topics covered. In particulare the final essay will test the ability to develop the skills learned in a proactive, critical, and creative manner. Critical analysis skills will also be assessed and verified through class discussions and seminars with invited experts and researchers on these issues.

Esempi di domande e/o esercizi frequenti

What is the peculiarity of the Varieties of Capitalism's Approach (VOCs)?

What are the main comparative dimensions in  VOCs?

What are the differences between LMEs and CMEs countries?

What are the main features of the Mediterranean Model of Capitalism?

What are the main indicators to compare labor market structures in different countries?

What are the differences between active and passive labor market policies?

What is the European Employment Strategy?

What is Flexicurity? What are its main pillars?

What are the main challenges related to the green and digital transition?

What are the main approaches in the regulation of digital work?

What are the main approaches in the promotion of sustainable development?