Kent Law School

Critical perspectives research led teaching


profile image for Dr Donatella Alessandrini

Dr Donatella Alessandrini

Senior Lecturer

Kent Law School

Law degree, University of Bari, Italy (1998) PhD, Birkbeck College, University of London (2007)

Research

Major Interests

  • International Trade Theory and Practice
  • Neo-liberalism
  • International Political Economy
  • Development Studies

Research Areas: Critical Commercial Law and Business Law and Regulation, Environmental Law, Law Politics and Culture, Law and Political Economy

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Also view these in the Kent Academic Repository
Books
Articles

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    Alessandrini, Donatella (2012) Immaterial Labour and Alternative Valorisation Processes in Italian Feminist Debates: (re)exploring the 'commons' of re-production. Feminists@Law, 1 (2). pp. 1-28.

    Abstract

    This article takes its cue from Desai’s critique of the new communists of the commons, particularly her claim that their project is built upon a series of misunderstandings about the dynamics of capital accumulation, the production of value in post-Fordism and the concept of the ‘commons’ itself. Focusing on earlier explorations by Italian feminists of the dynamic interaction between labour and value, the contribution this article makes to the commons debate is three-fold: first, it argues that the most interesting insights emerging from immaterial/cognitive/affective labour theories on which Italian post-workerists rely to put forward a renewed understanding of the commons derive from this feminist body of work. Secondly it shows how, despite being relied upon, the radical potential of this work has been limited by positing a qualitative shift to post-Fordist production that pays little attention to the important connections between labour and value that make up our common world. Finally, the article focuses exactly on this potential, that is, the challenge to capitalist value through the instantiation of other processes of valorisation, in light of the current attack on social reproduction.

    Alessandrini, Donatella (2011) Regulating Financial Derivatives? Risks, contested Values and Uncertain Futures. Social and Legal Studies, 20 (4). pp. 1-22.

    Alessandrini, Donatella (2010) GMOs and the Crisis of Objectivity: Nature, Science and the Challenge of Uncertainty. Social and Legal Studies, 19 (1). pp. 3-23.

    Alessandrini, Donatella and Leon, Irene (2010) Latin America and the Trans/national Debate: A Conversation Piece. Globalizations, 8 (2). pp. 179-195. ISSN 1474-7731.

    Abstract

    This paper is the result of a conversation, started in 2008, about the significance of the struggles for gender and sexual justice taking place in Latin America and more broadly of the challenges global justice and solidarity movements (GJ&SM) are articulating at various national and international levels. Two themes are explored throughout: the extent to which the current Latin American experiments with diversity, plurality, connectivity and mutuality, starting with the ‘plural concept of gender and sexuality’, challenge existing divides between gender, sexual, social and economic justice and the extent to which they simultaneously question the North/South divide. We also reflect on the problems and challenges that such approaches might present or encounter. Este documento es el resultado de una conversación iniciada en el 2008, sobre la importancia de las luchas por la justicia de género y sexualidad, realizadas en Latinoamérica y en términos más amplios, el desafío de la justicia global y los movimientos de solidaridad (GJ&SM, por sus siglas en inglés) articulándolos en los diferentes niveles tanto nacionales como internacionales. Se han explorado dos temas: Por un lado, la medida en que los experimentos actuales latinoamericanos con la diversidad, pluralidad, conectividad y reciprocidad, comenzando con el ‘concepto plural del género y la sexualidad’, desafían a las divisiones existentes entre la justicia de género, social y económica, y por otro lado, el grado en que estos experimentos cuestionan simultáneamente la división norte/sur. También reflexionamos sobre los problemas y desafíos que tales enfoques pueden presentar o enfrentar.

    Alessandrini, Donatella (2009) Making the WTO ‘more supportive of development’? The Doha Round and the Political rationality of the WTO’s Development Mission. Law, Social Justice and Global Development Journal (1). pp. 2-17.

    Alessandrini, Donatella (2005) Transnational Corporations and the Doctrine of Comparative Advantage: A Critique of Free Trade Normative Assumptions. International Trade Law and Regulations Journal, 11 (1). pp. 14-23. ISSN 1357-3136.

    Abstract

    Examines the free trade doctrine and considers the arguments which challenge the intellectual validity of free trade by examining its normative assumptions. Examines the major economic arguments against free trade and the market distortion argument put forward by Jagdish Bhagwati. Argues that free trade theory has overlooked the impact of events that have taken place after its formulation and which have affected its major assumptions, in particular, the ascendancy of transnational corporations and the influesnce they export on political and economic processes.

    Alessandrini, Donatella (2005) WTO and Current Trade Debate: An Enquiry into the Intellectual Origins of Free Trade Thought. International Trade Law and Regulation, 11 (2). pp. 53-60. ISSN 1357-3136.

    Abstract

    Examines the intellectual origins of the free trade doctrine, looking at the extent to which the economic analysis of free trade has excluded other forms of analysis. Considers the classical theory of free trade put forward by Alan Smith and analysis. Considers the classical theory of free trade put forward by Adam Smith and David Ricardo and the objections raised to free trade during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, based on arguments relating to tariffs, emerging industries, unemployment, wage differentials and market distortion.

Book Sections
Total publications in KAR: 9 [See all in KAR]
Information obtained from the Kent Academic Repository. The University of Kent official repository of academic activity.
More information about the Kent Academic Repository
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Postgraduate modules

  • Law and Development (LW885)
  • The International Law on Foreign Investment (LW810)
  • World Trade Organisation Law and Practice (LW847)
  • International Trade Law and the Environment (LW841)

Supervision

Donatella is happy to supervise research projects on Trade and Development, Critical Development Studies, Neo-liberalism and International Political Economy.

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Editorial Work

Professional Societies

  • International Association of Feminist Economics
  • Society for the Advancement of Socio-Economics
  • Society of Legal Scholars

Administration

  • Deputy Director of Post-Graduate Studies
  • Member of the Kent Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality Steering Committee
  • Director of the International Commercial Law LLM Programme
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Last Updated: 14/03/2012