Learning outcomes

The course aims to shed light on the processes which led to the split between financial and productive aspects in most world economies after World War II. The issue will be discussed with reference to two main frames, the institutional and the monographic frame.

Program

1.The Institutional Frame: survey and critical analysis of major economic facts and data concerning the following countries: U.S.A., Russia, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, India and Italy.
2. The Monographic Frame: discussions regarding some relevant and specific issues, such as:
a. The economic crises as they are described by the most important business cycle theories in the 30’s
b. The spread of financial instruments, swap, futures, options: from traditional accounting to o.t.c.
c. The Growth of the North American financial market from the New Deal to George W. Bush
d. A brief history of the Italian stock market from 1945 to 2010
e. The increasing dominance of the finance industry within Italian capitalism and its fall
f. Relevant characteristics of Indian financial capitalism
g. Money swinging concerning inflation, undervaluation and rates interest control in the Euro area from 1971 to nowadays
h. «New» Italian capitalism and the settlement of Italian public industries (IRI)
i. Democracy, representation and the expansion of the Italian Bank Foundations
since 1992.


• Johan Åkerman, Annual Survey of Economic Theory: The Setting of the Central Problem, «Econometrica», 4(2), 97-122, 1936
• Luigi Amoroso 
Ciclo, circolazione, politica monetaria, Torino, Utet libreria edizioni di banche e banchieri, 1999.
• Banerjee, D. (2010). Economic and human development in contemporary India : cronyism and fragility. London - New York, Routledge, 2010.
• V. Barnett, A history of Russian economic thought. London: Routledge, 2005.
• K. H. F. Dyson & S. Padgett, The politics of economic reform in Germany : global, Rhineland or hybrid capitalism? Abingdon, Routledge, 2006.
• Gottfried Haberler, Reflections on Hayek’s business cycle theory, Cato Journal, vol. 6, Fall 1986, pp. 421-435.
• Massimo Mucchetti, Licenziare i padroni, Milano Feltrinelli 2004.
• M. Tanimoto, The role of tradition in Japan's industrialization: Another path to industrialization. Oxford - New York, Oxford University Press, 2006.
• G. H.Wan, & World Institute for Development Economics Research. (2008). Inequality and growth in modern China. Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press, 2008.

Further readings will be suggested during the course.

Examination Methods

The above displayed program is only for students attending the entire course. Attending the whole course is warmly suggested. Examinations will be in English. Neverthless a written paper (to be completed and discussed before the end of the course) will be a compulsory part of the examination. Additional seminars and meetings will be scheduled.
The course will be taught in English. Of course it does not mean that a good knowledge of Italian language is also warmly recommended and suggested.