Tags
GED
Admissions requirements
You are required to:
have successfully completed Quantitative Research Methods or an equivalent statistics/econometrics course;
have successfully completed Principles of Economics or an equivalent introductory course on economics;
have a working understanding of political science, economics and/or development as evidenced by successful completion of 100- and 200-level courses in these fields (e.g., have taken Introduction to Comparative Politics and/or Decision Making Processes).
If not sure, ask the instructor. Course Administration and the instructor will check each record – to make sure you don’t accidentally take a course that you’re likely to fail.
Description
In this seminar, we will strive to understand how political and economic factors have interacted across countries historically and in current settings. We will examine the ways in which political interests, agents and institutions influence economic performance and vice versa – how economic variables affect political action. We will pay attention to how political-economic theories are built, how they interact with one another, and how they are explored or tested using various sources of evidence. Given the breadth of topics and coverage of countries with different records of industrialization, democracy and economic performance, our goal is seemingly modest, but in reality ambitious – to further our understanding of key ideas, debates, and methodologies in comparative political economy in a structured way. This task requires dedication, diligence, imagination, and, – well, as much of arts and sciences, – sacrifices.
Course objectives
Our key objective in this course will be to advance our understanding of the interaction between political and economic factors. If you persevere and successfully make it to the end of this course despite temporarily losing many a brave friend in this battle and your own sanity, you should be able to:
understand and critically discuss major issues, debates and theories in comparative political economy;
critically apply existing theoretical frameworks to evaluate specific country experiences in a comparative perspective;
empirically identify existing or potential sources of challenges for specific countries, their neighbors, partners and foes;
work toward developing tailored remedies for such challenges and present findings to stakeholders and informed non-specialists;
further strengthen your case for acquiring a right to give a grin at those economists and policy practitioners who seem to ignore politics, structures, and institutions.
Timetable
Once available, timetables will be published in the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
We will meet for two 2-hour seminars each week, starting each class with a brief recap and following with a discussion of a specific topic based on assigned readings. Most of our discussions will take the form of a structured interaction, including case-based debates, role-plays and simulations, so as to channel our brainstorming and musing productively, efficiently and in a fun way. Collaborative “experiential learning” exercises should help us apply our theoretical knowledge, hone analytical skills in simulated real-life settings, perceive the “reality” from the perspective of actors whose behavior we want to understand, and foster productive team work. We will use multi-media material to help us connect the dots among various ideas and phenomena.
Assessment
Your preparation, research, contribution and reflection are essential for your success in this course, for the quality of our interaction and, ultimately, the learning of the whole group (and indirectly you again!).
Contribution to in-class discussions and exercises
Percentage: 15%
Deadline: Weeks 1-7
Data report presentation: on sources of evidence on the class topic
Percentage: 10%
Deadline: Weeks 3-7
Research proposal
Percentage: 15%
Deadline: Week 3
Group project
Percentage: 30%
Deadline: Week 7
Final research essay
Percentage: 30%
Deadline: Week 8
Blackboard
There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.
Reading list
Caporaso, James A., and David P. Levine. 1992. Theories of Political Economy. Cambridge University Press.
Registration
This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Anar K. Ahmadov, a.k.o.ahmadov@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Remarks
Week 1: What is Political Economy?
Week 2: Markets and State
Week 3: Political-Economic Systems and Context
Week 4: Politics, Institutions, and Development
Week 5: Collective Action
Week 6: The Emergence and Dynamics of Democracy and Autocracy
Week 7: International Political Economy and Domestic Politics