The course is organized in two parts. The first general part deals with the evolution of warfare and strategic thought since XIX century to out times. The second part is based on seminars and dedicated to civil wars, peacekeeping, international terrorism and cyber security.
1. Introduzione, lessico rilevante, cause della guerra, evoluzione del fenomeno bellico.
Giacomello, G. e Badialetti G. (2016), Manuale di studi strategici, Introduzione e cap. 1; Garnett, J. e Baylis, J. (2018), “The causes of war and the conditions of peace”, in Baylis, J., Wirtz, J. e Gray, C. (a cura di) Strategy in the contemporary world. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
2. Guerra e politica fra XIX e XX secolo.
Giacomello, G. e Badialetti, G. (2016), Manuale di studi strategici, capp. 2 e 3; Paret, P. (2007), “Napoleone e la rivoluzione della guerra”, in Paret, P. (a cura di) Guerra e strategia nell’età contemporanea, Genova. Marietti; Paret, P. (2007), “Clausewitz”, in Paret, P. (a cura di) Guerra e strategia nell’età contemporanea, Genova. Marietti.
3. Le guerre mondiali e la guerra convenzionale.
Giacomello, G. e Badialetti, G. (2016), Manuale di studi strategici, cap. 4; Howard, M. (2007), “Uomini di fronte al fuoco: la dottrina dell’offensiva nel 1914”, in Paret, P. (a cura di) Guerra e strategia nell’età contemporanea, Genova. Marietti; Mearsheimer, J. (2009), “Hitler and the Blitzkrieg strategy” in Art, R. e Waltz, K (a cura di) The use of force: military power in international politics. Lanham. Rowman and Littlefield.
4. Il potere aereo.
Giacomello, G. e Badialetti, G. (2016), Manuale di studi strategici, cap. 7; MacIsaac, D., Voci dal profondo blu: I teorici del potere aereo, in Paret, P. (a cura di) Guerra e strategia nell’età contemporanea, Genova. Marietti.
5. Deterrenza nucleare e proliferazione nucleare nel sistema post-bipolare.
Giacomello, G. e Badialetti, G. (2016), Manuale di studi strategici, cap. 6; Freedman, L. (2013), “The rationality of irrationality” in Freedman, L. Strategy. A history. Oxford. Oxford University Press; Waltz, K. (2012), “More may be better” in Sagan, S. e Waltz, K. The spread of nuclear weapons. New York. Norton; Sagan, S. (2012) “More will be worse” in Sagan, S. e Waltz, K. The spread of nuclear weapons. New York. Norton.
6. Guerre civili e conflitti interni.
Costalli, S. (2010), “Studiare le guerre civili oggi: teorie concorrenti e complementari” in Costalli, S. e Moro, F. La guerra nello Stato, Milano. Vita e Pensiero; Posen B. (1993), "The security dilemma and ethnic conflict", Survival 35(5): 27-57; Costalli, S. e Ruggeri, A. (2015) “Indignation, ideologies and armed mobilization”, International Security, 40(2): 119-157; Costalli, S. e Moro, F. (2010) “La violenza in un conflitto etnico: la guerra in Bosnia-Erzegovina, 1992-1995”, in Costalli, S. e Moro, F. La guerra nello Stato, Milano. Vita e Pensiero; Kaufmann, C. (1996), “Possible and impossible solutions to ethnic civil wars”, International Security, 20(4): 136-175; Sambanis, N. e Schulhofer-Wohl, J. (2009), “What’s in a line? Is partition a solution to civil war?”, International Security, 34(2): 82-118.
7. Terrorismo internazionale.
Goodwin, J. (2019), “The causes of terrorism”, in Chenoweth, E. et al. The Oxford handbook of terrorism, Oxford. Oxford University Press; Kydd, A. e Walter, B. (2006), “The strategies of terrorism”, International Security, 31(1): 49-80; Fortna, V.P. (2012), “Do terrorists win? Rebel’s use of terrorism and civil war outcomes”, International Organization, 69(3): 519-556; Marone, F. (2010), “Attacchi suicidi e competizione interna: Palestina 1993-2005”, in Costalli, S. e Moro, F. La guerra nello Stato, Milano. Vita e Pensiero.
8. Droni.
Horowitz, M., Kreps, S. e Fuhrmann, M. (2016), “Separating facts from fiction in the debate over drone proliferation”, International Security, 41(2): 7-42; Calcara, A., Gilli, A., Gilli, M., Marchetti, R. e Zaccagnini, I. (2022), “Wy drones have not revolutionized war”, International Security, 46(4): 130-171.
9. Minacce informatiche e sicurezza informatica.
Giacomello, G. (2014), “Rischi e minacce nel cyberspazio”, in Foradori, P. e Giacomello, G. (a cura di) Sicurezza globale, Bologna. Il Mulino; Rid, T. “Cyber war will not take place” (2012), Journal of Strategic Studies, 35(1): 5-32; Stone, J. “Cyber war will take place!” (2013), Journal of Strategic Studies, 36(1): 101-108.
All readings will be available on Moodle except for the book by Giacomello and Badialetti.
Learning Objectives
Knowledge: Basic knowledge of strategic thought in military affairs and of the various types of armed conflict. Abilities acquired at the end of the course: Analysis of conflictual relations between political actors and international security crises.
Prerequisites
It is highly recommend to have previously taken the exams of Political science, International relations, History of international relations.
Teaching Methods
Lectures in the first general part, lectures and presentations by students with open debate in the second part of the course.
Further information
Students have to register on the EMoodle
platform (http://e-l.unifi.it/) and
download the material that the teacher will be posting on it.
Type of Assessment
Final written exam composed of multiple choice questions and open questions.
Course program
The course is organized in two parts. The first general part deals with the evolution of warfare and strategic thought since XIX century to out times. Particular attention will be devoted to Clausewitz; the strategic doctrines of the two world wars; nuclear deterrence and nuclear proliferation. The second part is based on seminars and dedicated to civil wars, peacekeeping, international terrorism and cyber security.