Full Professor of Political Science at the University of Milan and past president of the International Sociological Association
From 1987 to 1999 Martinelli was the dean of the faculty of Political Science at the University of Milan.
Member of the national council of science and technology since its start, he is also the author of books and essays on social systems and comparative politics, entrepreneurship and economic development, modernization and global governance, and social policies.
He is one of the founders of the journal, Reset, and is an editorialist of the
Corriere della Sera.
From 1984-85 and 1996-1998 he was advisor to the Italian Prime Minister for social policies and president of the national committee for the integration of immigrants.
His most recent book was published both in English, by Oxford University Press (Transatlantic Divide), and in Italian by Università Bocconi Editore (L’Occidente allo specchio).