The course begins with an analysis of the types of power of Max Weber and the process of legitimation that is the key to understanding it. Two short readings will be devoted to this analysis. The aim is to introduce the student to the concepts of sociology of power which will then be used in the understanding of public administrations. Subsequently, the course will cover the path of the Western state organization in its transformation from traditional administration to modern bucratic apparatus. Analyzing this rationalization process we will see how it proceeds alongside the analogous organizational transformation of private economic organizations. Public administration, capitalist enterprise and the role of the state in the economy are different aspects of a common path. We will then see the signs of the efficiency crisis of these bureaucratic apparatuses and the organizational and cognitive limits that determine it. The next step will be the analysis of the transformation of bureaucratic administrations in the economy of contemporary capitalism and the resulting organizational responses. Finally, we will briefly see how the Italian public administration has faced a path of reform and how the current challenge of implementing the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) has started yet another season of administrative reforms. The governance of the European Union will be seen under the light of the multilevel governance. 

Max Weber: types of legitimacy, types of power Choices based on value and rationality in Max Weber The bureaucratic administration of the liberal state Administration before the modern model of public bureaucracy Technocracy, scientific knowledge and modernity Democracy and democratic participation Fundamental features of the bureaucracy. The scientific organization of work. The scientific organization of public administrations. The new economic role of the state. The growing role of public policies. Political parties and bureaucracy. The iron law of the oligarchy. Crisis and degeneration of the bureaucracy. Organizational studies and analysis models of the buorocratic phenomenon Bureaucracy in the global capitalist society. Towards a post bureaucratic administration? The study of organizational economies and transaction costs. Extractive and inclusive institutions according to Acemoglu and Robinson. The New Public Management. Multilevel Governance. The first steps of administrative reforms in Italy. The Italian administrative reforms of the 1990s. The most recent reforms of the Italian administration in view of the implementation of the PNRR. The course will end with a very brief summary of the key elements of the governence of the European Union. 

La riflessione sul potere e la sua legittimità è basilare allo studio di ogni ambito del percorso di scienza politica. Gli studenti saranno chiamati ad una riflessione sulla natura degli apparati amministrativi con esempi ed approfondimenti. Le letture saranno oggetto di dibattito e approfondimento in aula. Gli studenti saranno introdotti all'uso di concetti analitici ed esplicativi che permettono loro selezionare le informazioni, identificare gli aspetti più rilevanti al fine della comprensione, e costruire modelli analitici. L'analisi delle amministrazioni pubbliche nel loro cammino a fianco con le altre istituzioni ecnomiche e gestionali servirà per sviluppare una capacità di comprensione dei contesti storici, della dimensione reazionale della trasformazione delle diverse isituzioni sociali e delle connessione tra eventi spesso studiati separatamente. La riflessione sulle riforme amministrative sarà occasione per sviluppare nei discenti la capacità di connettere gli elementi comuni ai diversi contesti e di riflettere sugli strumenti del problem-solving amministrativo

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Worksheets, videos, reading suggestions, examples and in-depth paths will be used to induce students to reflect more consciously on the study materials. The textbook will also be available in digital form on the publisher's website. For all other readings, the link will be indicated to be able to download them free of charge and will also be available in PDF format on the course website. The teacher will always be available for suggestions, proposals and individual paths when requested in class, during the reception or by email

Teaching

Attendance to lectures (in presence unless otherwise established by the University for health reasons), written exercises and oral presentation of topics and arguments

Course books

Foreign students can ask to study in english, in french or in spanish language. The books or the papers to study on will be agreed by the teacher with the student taking into account his/her field of interest. 

Assessment

Standard exam will be an oral conversation but a presentation of a a paper agreed with teacher can cover part of the program.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Course books

Foreign students can ask to study in english, in french or in spanish language. The books or the papers to study on will be agreed by the teacher with the student taking into account his/her field of interest.

Assessment

Standard exam will be an oral conversation but a presentation of a a paper agreed with teacher can cover part of the program.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.