Identification of the relationships between rationales or programs of government and technologies of government, most especially accounting, during the emergence of the modern State in the 18th century in northern Italy.

Identification of two levels of political discourse (high and operational) during the Napoleonic occupation of the Commune of Ferrara, Italy.

Extensive use of primary archival data to examine the scope and organisation of Napoleonic public administration and the ‘governmentality’ principles.