The diffusion of policy norms to international organizations: the protection of civilians and public information in UN peacekeeping operations

Behavior and change in international organizations (IOs) have been recently recognized as important yet understudied phenomena in international relations. While a number of notable works focusing on IO authority and autonomy have appeared recently, the debates on whether member states or bureaucrats have the upper hand in determining IO behavior masks the complex reality in which states, IO officials, independent experts and civil society actors enter into discussions or negotiations about courses of action which are appropriate for a given IO. In order to provide a more nuanced account of this reality, the thesis applies the norm diffusion theory to explaining the evolution of UN peacekeeping operations in the aftermath of the Cold War. The paper looks at policy norms prescribing missions to afford protection to civilians under imminent threat of physical violence and develop public information campaigns targeted at the local population. The thesis theorizes four diffusion mechanisms and five categories of scope conditions which have a bearing on diffusion. It hypothesizes and subsequently demonstrates that each mechanism's functioning depends on a specific constellation of the conditions from the five categories. Despite a number of difficulties associated with the application of the norm diffusion theory to IOs, the study cases has produced interesting results which other theories of IOs behavior and change have struggled to deliver.Behavior and change in international organizations (IOs) have been recently recognized as important yet understudied phenomena in international relations. While a number of notable works focusing on IO authority and autonomy have appeared recently, the debates on whether member states or bureaucrats have the upper hand in determining IO behavior masks the complex reality in which states, IO officials, independent experts and civil society actors enter into discussions or negotiations about courses of action which are appropriate for a given IO. In order to provide a more nuanced account of this reality, the thesis applies the norm diffusion theory to explaining the evolution of UN peacekeeping operations in the aftermath of the Cold War. The paper looks at policy norms prescribing missions to afford protection to civilians under imminent threat of physical violence and develop public information campaigns targeted at the local population. The thesis theorizes four diffusion mechanisms and five categories of scope conditions which have a bearing on diffusion. It hypothesizes and subsequently demonstrates that each mechanism's functioning depends on a specific constellation of the conditions from the five categories. Despite a number of difficulties associated with the application of the norm diffusion theory to IOs, the study cases has produced interesting results which other theories of IOs behavior and change have struggled to deliver.LUISS PhD Thesi

Economic crisis in a stalemated democracy. The Italian case

In Southern Europe, the economic crisis (2008-2013) triggered a deeper political crisis, affecting a number of aspects of a representative democracy. Italy provides a particularly telling case of what happens when an economic crisis occurs in an unstable political context characterized by low government effectiveness, low efficiency, corruption, decline of electoral participation, fragmented and radicalized party competition, social inequality, high public debt, and other related features, here summarized in the model of “stalemated democracy”. On the basis of a comprehensive data set developed along with eight dimensions of democracy assessment and taking into account the policies pursued during the years of the crisis, we analyze the different effects of economic crisis—some of them expected, others more surprising—and how those effects characterize Italian political crisis and a new phase of great uncertainty. In the concluding remarks we offer an explanation of the role played by the economic crisis, focusing on the interplay between veto rules and actual veto players. Such an explanation is also relevant to see key, more in-depth aspects of Italian democracy during last twenty years and earlier.In Southern Europe, the economic crisis (2008-2013) triggered a deeper political crisis, affecting a number of aspects of a representative democracy. Italy provides a particularly telling case of what happens when an economic crisis occurs in an unstable political context characterized by low government effectiveness, low efficiency, corruption, decline of electoral participation, fragmented and radicalized party competition, social inequality, high public debt, and other related features, here summarized in the model of “stalemated democracy”. On the basis of a comprehensive data set developed along with eight dimensions of democracy assessment and taking into account the policies pursued during the years of the crisis, we analyze the different effects of economic crisis—some of them expected, others more surprising—and how those effects characterize Italian political crisis and a new phase of great uncertainty. In the concluding remarks we offer an explanation of the role played by the economic crisis, focusing on the interplay between veto rules and actual veto players. Such an explanation is also relevant to see key, more in-depth aspects of Italian democracy during last twenty years and earlier.Refereed Working Papers / of international relevanc

Il principio di "equilibrio" del bilancio nel quadro della governance europea dei conti pubblici

La decisione di bilancio, tra teoria economica ed aspetti istituzionali: l'art. 81 della Costituzione. Il progressivo adattamento dell'ordinamento nazionale ai vincoli europei in materia di bilancio. La costituzionalizzazione del principio dell'"equilibrio" di bilancio: la Legge costituzionale n. 1/2012 e la Legge "rinforzata" n. 243/2012. Il nuovo diritto del bilancio: verso l'introduzione di vincoli contenutistici o una diversa conformazione dei procedimenti decisionali nazionali? Obbligo di copertura o “pareggio” di bilancio? Quale significato attribuire al principio di "equilibrio" nella nuova governance europea dei conti pubblici.La decisione di bilancio, tra teoria economica ed aspetti istituzionali: l'art. 81 della Costituzione. Il progressivo adattamento dell'ordinamento nazionale ai vincoli europei in materia di bilancio. La costituzionalizzazione del principio dell'"equilibrio" di bilancio: la Legge costituzionale n. 1/2012 e la Legge "rinforzata" n. 243/2012. Il nuovo diritto del bilancio: verso l'introduzione di vincoli contenutistici o una diversa conformazione dei procedimenti decisionali nazionali? Obbligo di copertura o “pareggio” di bilancio? Quale significato attribuire al principio di "equilibrio" nella nuova governance europea dei conti pubblici.LUISS PhD Thesi

Corporate governance issues in family and non-family owned firms: an empirical analysis of CEO compensation, executive turnover, and earnings management

Agency conflicts, family ownership, and CEO pay for performance sensitivity. Executive turnover and familial relations: family controlled firms and family CEOs in Italy. Family ownership, earnings management, and CEO turnover.Agency conflicts, family ownership, and CEO pay for performance sensitivity. Executive turnover and familial relations: family controlled firms and family CEOs in Italy. Family ownership, earnings management, and CEO turnover.LUISS PhD Thesi

The impact of naturalization on civic integration: an empirical study on TCNs in Italy

The main objective of this dissertation is that of exploring the relationship between naturalization and civic integration from an empirical standpoint. Most existing studies have focused on the impact of naturalization on the specifically economic dimension of integration, whereas the non-economic aspects have been much more neglected. Here the question of the impact of naturalization is developed with regards to first-generation, third-country nationals (TCNs) residing in Italy, and focusing the attention on civic integration. The latter is provided a working definition characterized by three dimensions (“vertical”, “horizontal” and “subjective”). The research is based on interviews with fifty individuals carried out between 2012 and 2014. Interviews featured both a structured questionnaire and an open-ended talk. The methodology of analysis of the data was both quantitative and qualitative. The objective of mixing the two methods was to enable me, on the one hand, to define the relationship between the “citizenship variable” and the other main ones, and on the other, to gather a deeper understanding the mechanisms at work behind the process of integration in relation to citizenship acquisition. Overall, this research finds that notwithstanding the pervasive effects on the economic, social and political life that globalization, deterritorialization and increased cross-country mobility have had on nation-states and on individuals living within their borders, national citizenship is still a powerful drive in shaping first-generation immigrants’ chances for civic integration into the host country.The main objective of this dissertation is that of exploring the relationship between naturalization and civic integration from an empirical standpoint. Most existing studies have focused on the impact of naturalization on the specifically economic dimension of integration, whereas the non-economic aspects have been much more neglected. Here the question of the impact of naturalization is developed with regards to first-generation, third-country nationals (TCNs) residing in Italy, and focusing the attention on civic integration. The latter is provided a working definition characterized by three dimensions (“vertical”, “horizontal” and “subjective”). The research is based on interviews with fifty individuals carried out between 2012 and 2014. Interviews featured both a structured questionnaire and an open-ended talk. The methodology of analysis of the data was both quantitative and qualitative. The objective of mixing the two methods was to enable me, on the one hand, to define the relationship between the “citizenship variable” and the other main ones, and on the other, to gather a deeper understanding the mechanisms at work behind the process of integration in relation to citizenship acquisition. Overall, this research finds that notwithstanding the pervasive effects on the economic, social and political life that globalization, deterritorialization and increased cross-country mobility have had on nation-states and on individuals living within their borders, national citizenship is still a powerful drive in shaping first-generation immigrants’ chances for civic integration into the host country.LUISS PhD Thesi

Prostitution as a matter of freedom

Can prostitution be conceived as a voluntary choice? Can the exchange of sexual services in return for money be seen as an act of will? Is it possible to distinguish between voluntary and coerced prostitution? Going through the philosophical debate within the feminist arena, my thesis will analyse the main theoretical standpoints: the radical one, mostly based on gender identity and adversarial logic between sexes; the libertarian one relying on self-ownership and individual freedom; the median one which tries to strike a balance between the two preceding perspectives admitting a certain dose of paternalism. To better understand the polarity within the feminist debate, consider that, while the American feminist Catherine MacKinnon excludes the possibility of voluntary prostitution, waging also a crusade against pornography seen as “an arm of prostitution”1, on the other hand the self-described dissident feminist, Camille Paglia, views the prostitute as “one of the few women who is totally in control of her fate, totally in control of the realm of sex”2. Moreover, moving from the theoretical to the descriptive dimension, I will describe the main regulatory frameworks existing in some countries, from the most liberal to the strictest one. My thesis is that there is no reason to exclude the possibility of voluntary prostitution, that is the possibility that someone chooses prostitution as a “desirable” activity; and that a neat distinction does exist between voluntary sex working and exploitation, being the latter featured by coercion.Can prostitution be conceived as a voluntary choice? Can the exchange of sexual services in return for money be seen as an act of will? Is it possible to distinguish between voluntary and coerced prostitution? Going through the philosophical debate within the feminist arena, my thesis will analyse the main theoretical standpoints: the radical one, mostly based on gender identity and adversarial logic between sexes; the libertarian one relying on self-ownership and individual freedom; the median one which tries to strike a balance between the two preceding perspectives admitting a certain dose of paternalism. To better understand the polarity within the feminist debate, consider that, while the American feminist Catherine MacKinnon excludes the possibility of voluntary prostitution, waging also a crusade against pornography seen as “an arm of prostitution”1, on the other hand the self-described dissident feminist, Camille Paglia, views the prostitute as “one of the few women who is totally in control of her fate, totally in control of the realm of sex”2. Moreover, moving from the theoretical to the descriptive dimension, I will describe the main regulatory frameworks existing in some countries, from the most liberal to the strictest one. My thesis is that there is no reason to exclude the possibility of voluntary prostitution, that is the possibility that someone chooses prostitution as a “desirable” activity; and that a neat distinction does exist between voluntary sex working and exploitation, being the latter featured by coercion.LUISS PhD Thesi

The power of majorities and Church-State separation

Deliberative Democracy and the Power of Majorities. On Tolerating Majorities. Majoritarian Beliefs and Neo-Republicanism. On Separation and Anticlericalism. Italy and the Principle of (Strict) Church-State Separation.Deliberative Democracy and the Power of Majorities. On Tolerating Majorities. Majoritarian Beliefs and Neo-Republicanism. On Separation and Anticlericalism. Italy and the Principle of (Strict) Church-State Separation.LUISS PhD Thesi

Values for sustainable future: transforming values in the context of climate change and global environmental degradation

This dissertation is an interdisciplinary project aimed to explore normative and empirical dimensions and underpinnings of a societal transformation towards sustainability and the underlying value shift in developed countries. This study attempted to build a holistic perspective of a value shift towards sustainability by tackling a constellation of approaches from philosophy and ethics, social and political sciences, international relations. The project looked into how a value shift could be a response to climate change and global environmental crisis, what gaps in the existing system of values should be addressed and what values should be developed, how values can be changed at individual and collective levels, what actors can advance the transformation and which tools they can employ. Finally, the project explored how environmental non-governmental organizations can advance sustainability values to the general public and also analyzed climate change campaigns of the WWF and Greenpeace in order to identify which values these organizations promote to the public through their outreach efforts.This dissertation is an interdisciplinary project aimed to explore normative and empirical dimensions and underpinnings of a societal transformation towards sustainability and the underlying value shift in developed countries. This study attempted to build a holistic perspective of a value shift towards sustainability by tackling a constellation of approaches from philosophy and ethics, social and political sciences, international relations. The project looked into how a value shift could be a response to climate change and global environmental crisis, what gaps in the existing system of values should be addressed and what values should be developed, how values can be changed at individual and collective levels, what actors can advance the transformation and which tools they can employ. Finally, the project explored how environmental non-governmental organizations can advance sustainability values to the general public and also analyzed climate change campaigns of the WWF and Greenpeace in order to identify which values these organizations promote to the public through their outreach efforts.LUISS PhD Thesi

Le autonomie locali dopo la crisi economica: Italia e Spagna a confronto

Dalla crisi economica alla crisi delle autonomie locali. L'identità istituzionale e le modifiche relative alla configurazione degli organi delle autonomie locali. La nuova disciplina delle funzioni amministrative e delle loro modalità di esercizio. Crisi economica e controlli sugli enti locali. L'autonomia locale da principio fondamentale a "privilegio" da tagliare: quali limiti per il legislatore statale?Dalla crisi economica alla crisi delle autonomie locali. L'identità istituzionale e le modifiche relative alla configurazione degli organi delle autonomie locali. La nuova disciplina delle funzioni amministrative e delle loro modalità di esercizio. Crisi economica e controlli sugli enti locali. L'autonomia locale da principio fondamentale a "privilegio" da tagliare: quali limiti per il legislatore statale?LUISS PhD Thesi

International diffusion of shocks under different degrees of cross-country shocks comovement and economic integration

This paper studies the international transmission of shocks under different degrees of cross-country shocks comovement and economic integration via a two country-two good model with recursive preferences, frictionless markets, and correlated short- and long-run innovations. In contrast to recent studies, I show that the inclusion of cross-country balance sheet linkages and borrowing constraints does not represent a necessary condition to produce a strong international propagation mechanism. The novel risk sharing mechanism embodied in the model produces symmetric and synchronized movements in consumption and stock prices even if there are uncorrelated shocks and segmented goods markets. Nevertheless, model's results give rise to a "quantitative trade-off". On the one side, the presence of correlated long-run growth prospect is needed to produce a relatively low risk-free rate and a relatively high equity risk premium (consistent with asset pricing data), a no-close to unity cross-country consumption growth correlation (consistent with international consumption data), and the Backus-Smith correlation. On the other side, a negative short-run shock is key to produce a large and synchronized drop in real and financial flows (consistently with the properties of the 2008-2009 global demand collapse).This paper studies the international transmission of shocks under different degrees of cross-country shocks comovement and economic integration via a two country-two good model with recursive preferences, frictionless markets, and correlated short- and long-run innovations. In contrast to recent studies, I show that the inclusion of cross-country balance sheet linkages and borrowing constraints does not represent a necessary condition to produce a strong international propagation mechanism. The novel risk sharing mechanism embodied in the model produces symmetric and synchronized movements in consumption and stock prices even if there are uncorrelated shocks and segmented goods markets. Nevertheless, model's results give rise to a "quantitative trade-off". On the one side, the presence of correlated long-run growth prospect is needed to produce a relatively low risk-free rate and a relatively high equity risk premium (consistent with asset pricing data), a no-close to unity cross-country consumption growth correlation (consistent with international consumption data), and the Backus-Smith correlation. On the other side, a negative short-run shock is key to produce a large and synchronized drop in real and financial flows (consistently with the properties of the 2008-2009 global demand collapse).LUISS PhD Thesi