Università Roma Tre

The first part of the course illustrates the connection between technology and international affairs in history and conceptualizes the role of technology especially IT (Information Technology), through the analysis of different theoretical approaches. The second part of the course analyzes how states produce "technological power" and how they compete internationally. It focuses first of all on the link between technology and politics, and in particular on the concept of "innovation" and "innovation ecosystems", as well as on the fundamental dimensions of innovation in relation to the nature of modern technology. The main form of international competition in the realm technology will also be discussed.
Finally, the third part of the course has a more empirical character. After analyzing some of the most important emerging technologies (artificial intelligence, 5G and quantum computing) and the related implications for national and international security, the course proceeds to examine the strategies implemented by the European Union to ensure sovereignty and independence, as well as to compete with other powers in these areas and an examination of how emerging technologies and intelligence innovations were employed in the initial stages of the conflict surrounding the invasion of Ukraine.

1. Introduction

2. Technology and International Relations
John Krige & Kai Henrik Barth, ‘Science, Technology, and International Affairs’, Osiris, 21/1 (2006), Global Power Knowledge: Science and Technology in International Affairs, 1-21.
Stefan Fritsch, ‘Technology and Global Affairs’, International Studies Perspectives, 12/1 (February 2011), 27-45.

3. Technology and International Affairs: analytical framework
Geoffrey Herrera, Technology and International Transformation (Albany: SUNY Press, 2006), 13-45.

4. Technological Change and the International System
Daniel W. Drezner, ‘Technological Change and International Relations’, International Relations 33/2 (2019) 286–303.

5. Power and IT Technology
J.P. Singh, Information Technologies and The Changing Scope of Power and Governance (New York: SUNY Press, 2002).
James Lewis, Technology and Power, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2022.

6. Politics and Innovation: Innovation Ecosystems
Mark Zachary Taylor, An International Relations Theory of Technological Change (Working Paper July 2005).

7. the dimensions of Innovation
Andrea Gilli and Mauro Gilli, ‘Why China Has Not Caught Up Yet. Military-Technological Superiority and the Limits of Imitation, Reverse Engineering, and Cyber Espionage’, International Security 43/3 (Winter 2018/19), 141–189

8. Competition: Defining Tech Standards
Walter Mattli & Tim Buthe, ‘Setting International Standards: Technological Rationality or Primacy of Power?’, World Politics 56/1 (2003), 1-42.

9. Competition and Networks
Harry Farrell & Abraham Newman, ‘Weaponized Interdependence: How Global Economic Networks Shape State Coercion’, International Security 44/1 (2019), 42-79.

10. the Invisible Competition: Intelligence and Conflict in Cyberspace
‘Cyber Conflict as an Intelligence Contest’, Texas National Security Review September 17, 2020

11. 5G and national security
James A. Lewis, How 5G Will Shape Innovation and Security A Primer (Washington DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2018)

12. Artificial Intelligence and international Security
AA.VV. Artificial Intelligence and International Security (Washington DC: CNAS, 2018).
Congressional Research Service, Artificial Intelligence and National Security (November 2020).

13. UE
Ulrike Franke, José Ignacio Torreblanca, ‘Geo-Tech Politics: Why Technology Shapes European Power’, ECFR Policy Brief (July 2021).
EU Parliamentary Research Service, Key Enabling Technologies for Europe's Technological Sovereignty (Bruxelles: EUPRS, 2021).

14. UE
Francesca Ghiretti, Technological Competition: Can the EU Compete with China? (Roma: Istituto Affari Internazionali, 2021).
Jean-Pierre Darnis, The European Union between strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty: impasses and opportunities (Paris: Fondation pour la Recherche Strategique, 2021)

15. Digital Middle Powers
Alice Pannier (ed.), “The Technology Policies of Digital Middle Powers”, Études de l’Ifri, Ifri, February 2023, 50-83.

16. Russia
Dominik P. Jankowski, “Russia and the Technological Race in an Era of Great Power Competition”, Center for Strategic and International Studies.

17. Case Study: Innovation, Intelligence and War in Ukraine
Intelligence & War In Ukraine, War on the Rocks

18. Exam

John Krige & Kai Henrik Barth, ‘Science, Technology, and International Affairs’, Osiris, 21/1 (2006), Global Power Knowledge: Science and Technology in International Affairs, 1-21.
Stefan Fritsch, ‘Technology and Global Affairs’, International Studies Perspectives, 12/1 (February 2011), 27-45.
Geoffrey Herrera, Technology and International Transformation (Albany: SUNY Press, 2006), 13-45.
Daniel W. Drezner, ‘Technological Change and International Relations’, International Relations 33/2 (2019) 286–303.
J.P. Singh, Information Technologies and The Changing Scope of Power and Governance (New York: SUNY Press, 2002).
James Lewis, Technology and Power, Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2022.
Mark Zachary Taylor, An International Relations Theory of Technological Change (Working Paper July 2005).
Andrea Gilli and Mauro Gilli, ‘Why China Has Not Caught Up Yet. Military-Technological Superiority and the Limits of Imitation, Reverse Engineering, and Cyber Espionage’, International Security 43/3 (Winter 2018/19), 141–189
Walter Mattli & Tim Buthe, ‘Setting International Standards: Technological Rationality or Primacy of Power?’, World Politics 56/1 (2003), 1-42.
Harry Farrell & Abraham Newman, ‘Weaponized Interdependence: How Global Economic Networks Shape State Coercion’, International Security 44/1 (2019), 42-79.
‘Cyber Conflict as an Intelligence Contest’, Texas National Security Review September 17, 2020
James A. Lewis, How 5G Will Shape Innovation and Security A Primer (Washington DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2018)
AA.VV. Artificial Intelligence and International Security (Washington DC: CNAS, 2018).
Congressional Research Service, Artificial Intelligence and National Security (November 2020).
Ulrike Franke, José Ignacio Torreblanca, ‘Geo-Tech Politics: Why Technology Shapes European Power’, ECFR Policy Brief (July 2021).
EU Parliamentary Research Service, Key Enabling Technologies for Europe's Technological Sovereignty (Bruxelles: EUPRS, 2021).
Francesca Ghiretti, Technological Competition: Can the EU Compete with China? (Roma: Istituto Affari Internazionali, 2021).
Jean-Pierre Darnis, The European Union between strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty: impasses and opportunities (Paris: Fondation pour la Recherche Strategique, 2021)
Alice Pannier (ed.), “The Technology Policies of Digital Middle Powers”, Études de l’Ifri, Ifri, February 2023, 50-83.
Dominik P. Jankowski, “Russia and the Technological Race in an Era of Great Power Competition”, Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Intelligence & War In Ukraine, War on the Rocks