This course is designed to serve as an in-depth introduction to political economy, broadly defined. It will survey and discuss the political and institutional factors underlying cross- national and subnational variation in economic performance. The course is structured around the following issues or questions:
- Why do countries differ so much in their level of economic development?;
- What is the role of political institutions in promoting economic development?
- How do the structures and capacities of the state affect economic performance?
- To what extent are countries and regions destined for a certain level of development due to their geography, culture, or history?
- What is the political logic of inequality and welfare state?
The scope of the course is analytical in its theoretical perspective and comparative from a methodological point of view. Knowledge of quantitative data analysis is recommended but not required.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand and apply the ability to think independently and persuasively communicate in debates on political economy and its impact on development;
- Explain key explanatory theories why some countries and regions are rich or poor;
- Critically engage in canonical and cutting-edge research topics on political economy and development;
- Apply analytical framework to economic policy making, especially with regard to international development projects, and evaluation informed by political science research and methodologies;
- Be able to apply contending theories of political economy of development to historical and contemporary cases.
Indicative Assessment
- Class participation (10) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Essay due in week 5 (1500 - 2000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
- Oral presentation on a specific developing country (15) [LO 1,4,5]
- Oral Presentation of a Self-selected Piece of Reading (15) [LO 1,2,3]
- Essay due in week 12 (1500 - 2000 words) (30) [LO 1,2,3]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Workloads includes 120 hours, consisting of 3 contact hours and 7 hours private study per week
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Prescribed Texts
A reading brick will be made available
Preliminary Reading
Kohli, Atul. “Where do High-Growth Political Economies Come From? The Japanese Lineage of Korea’s Developmental State” in Meredith Woo-Cumings, The Developmental State. (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1999). pp. 93-136.
Stasavage, David and Robin Harding. 2014. “What Democracy Does (and Doesn't Do) for Basic Services: School Fees, School Inputs, and African Elections.” The Journal of Politics 76: 229–245
Ross, Michael. (2006) “Is Democracy Good for the Poor?” American Journal of Political Science, 50(4):860- 874
David Stasavage. 2002. “Credible Commitment in Early Modern Europe: North and Weingast Revisited,” Journal of Law, Economics and Organization 18(1): 155-186.
Abramson, Scott. & Carles Boix 2019. Endogenous Parliaments: The Domestic and International Roots of Long-Term Economic Growth and Executive Constraints in Europe. International Organization. 73(4): 793-837.
Stanislav Markus (2012). "Secure Property as a Bottom-Up Process: Firms, Stakeholders, and Predators in Weak States," World Politics, 64 (2) (April 2012): 242-277.
Berger D, Easterly W, Nunn N, Satyanath S. (2013) Commercial Imperialism? Political Influence and Trade During the Cold War. American Economic Review. 103 (2): 863-896
Findlay, Ronald and Kevin O’Rourke. 2007. Power and Plenty: Trade, War, and the World Economy in the Second Millennium. (Princeton: Princeton University Press). 429-526.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $6180 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
