This course offers an extensive exploration of the intertwining of economic concepts with political and legal systems, focusing on the nature and evolution of democratic and authoritarian states. It is structured into four comprehensive parts, each delving into various aspects of political economy, from public goods and property rights to the origins of the state and the dynamics of political manipulation.
A baseline understanding of basic economic and political theories is recommended for this course to facilitate deeper engagement with the material.
This course is suitable for students and professionals interested in economics, political science, and law, or for anyone curious about the economic analysis of political systems and their impacts on society and governance.
Understanding the economic foundations of political systems can enhance policymaking, inform legal and economic reforms, and contribute to scholarly debates on governance and economic development. Learners can apply these insights in various careers in public policy, academia, or consultancy roles focusing on governance, development, or international relations.
Focus on rationality assumptions, model simplifications, and collective actions.
Discussion on the Coase Theorem, externalities, and public intervention strategies.
Exploration of the emergence of states, reduction in violence, and philosophies from Plato to Marx.
Introduction to negative and positive liberties, theories of social choice and democratic governance.
Study on manipulation techniques in politics, including historical examples such as Abraham Lincoln's leadership strategies.