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Tell us about yourself: where do you come from, what do you teach at Ca' Foscari?
My name is Giulio Azzolini, I was born in 1987 in the province of Brindisi, I grew up in Trento and, after graduating from high school in classical studies, I decided to move to Rome, where I graduated in Philosophy at the Sapienza University. In Venice I teach Political Philosophy and World Systems Analysis, in Italian and in the language of imperialism.

What are your research areas?
Much of my research revolves around certain ‘hidden vices’ of modern and contemporary ages, such as the persistence of inequality and domination. I have studied, in a historical-critical perspective, how oligarchies and international hierarchies change, mainly drawing on the elitist and Marxist traditions, especially in Italy, and on theories of world systems and globalisation.

Tell us about your academic path.
After my PhD at La Sapienza, I was a fellow in Naples, at the Italian Institute for Historical Studies and the Institute for Philosophical Studies, and at the École normale supérieure in Lyon. In 2018, I won my first researcher competition at Ca' Foscari (and a second one the following year).

Did you always think university was your path?
No. I have worked in journalism, publishing, and private research institutes. But perhaps teaching at university, despite the red tape and infinite jest, still leaves some room for freedom. And in any case, it is a good way to avoid being under a boss and having to get up early in the morning.