About this Course

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.

What Students Will Learn

• Understanding the application of economic theories to collective decision-making processes.
• Exploring concepts like public and private goods, property rights, and the mechanisms of political agenda control.
• Insight into the socioeconomic implications of various forms of governance.
• Analyzing real-world applications of social choice theory and its effect on democratic and authoritarian governance.
• Studying historical and contemporary cases to understand the role of economics in law and politics.

Prerequisites or Skills Necessary

A baseline understanding of basic economic and political theories is recommended for this course to facilitate deeper engagement with the material.

Course Coverage

• Development of key economic concepts applicable to political economy.
• Comparative analysis of democratic versus authoritarian states.
• Interdisciplinary approaches combining empirical data, game theory simulations, and theoretical discussions.
• Explorations into the role of law and order in economic growth and political stability.

Who is This Course For?

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.

Real-World Application of Skills

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.

Syllabus

Week 1: Methodological Issues in Political Economy

Focus on rationality assumptions, model simplifications, and collective actions.

Week 2: Public Goods and Market Failures

Discussion on the Coase Theorem, externalities, and public intervention strategies.

Week 3: State Formation and Philosophical Insights

Exploration of the emergence of states, reduction in violence, and philosophies from Plato to Marx.

Week 4: Concepts of Liberty and Democracy

Introduction to negative and positive liberties, theories of social choice and democratic governance.

Week 5: Strategies in Political Manipulation

Study on manipulation techniques in politics, including historical examples such as Abraham Lincoln's leadership strategies.