The student who completes the course successfully will be able to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the milestone concepts and the main current of contemporary political thought. She/he will have the ability to analyze the relationship between the development of political theory and the building of political institutions and social processes. She/he will be able to compare and contrast ideas and arguments of theorists from different historical periods, being aware of continuities and changes regarding questions about power, authority, liberty, equality etc.. She/He will also be able to acquire knowledge and tools necessary to the analysis and organization of information, to be used in any work environment.

The course aims also to provide students with the skills necessary to understand how the laws governing individual economic actions are not independent from the most general laws of economic and social development. Particular attention is devoted to the study of international economic relations and economic and financial crises, considered also in their social, geo-political and institutional effects, with particular reference to the relationship between state and market.