SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES: SOCIAL INNOVATION AND COMMON GOODS

Over the last decades, several changes have affected social systems and transformed the relationships between the social and economic spheres, the local and global dimensions, individuals and the community. Our society is characterized by the acceleration of processes (economic, social, cultural...) and the fragmentation of individual and collective identities: in this scenario the individual is called to face systemic problems and risks (Bauman). Decision-making and organizational processes - increasingly placed on the shoulders of individuals - also highlight the inadequacy of individual resources in facing complex social challenges and managing common goods and services. The possibility of finding individual solutions to social problems becomes complicated when social challenges are increasing (the growth of inequalities, the spread of de-contextualized production and consumption patterns, the encounter between peoples and cultures). Nevertheless, within this panorama initiatives are emerging that are able to solve some emerging or not yet satisfied social problems. These initiatives, called 'social innovation' (SI), take place in the collective dimension at the centre of social structure and action (Giddens). IS emerges in changing contexts, in crisis contexts, where relationships and social processes are put under stress and can take on new configurations.

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:
- place the theme of the commons at the crossroads of different knowledge and issues
- recognise the role of different publics (public authorities, non profit organisations, citizens) in protecting and enhancing the common goods
- recognise the elements characterising social innovation experiences
- analyse actors, processes and results of social innovation experiences

Basic sociological theories

- Public and common goods: what are they?
- "The tragedy of the commons"
- The governance of common goods
- From the ownership of goods to their management: processes of social innovation
- Social innovation: a sociological reading
- Characteristics and determinants of social innovation
- The "bees" of social innovation: who are the innovators?
- Social innovation and development

Giddens A. (1990), The consequences of modernity, Cambridge, Polity Press

Written examination.

Theoretical and practical lessons

Italian

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Cities, infrastructure and social capital" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development