Currently, in most of the economics that is taught, government decisions are not adequately explained, but are treated as exogenous, or (sometimes), assumed to be determined by considerations of ‘optimality’. The course seeks to develop an understanding of how governments actually use their ‘policy space’ in economic matters, and how they actually respond to expansions (or contractions) in that space.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Appreciate the concept of endogenous economic policy decisions
- Absorb scholarly papers that make use of the fundamentals of the models of ‘political economy’
- Produce simple political economy models
- Discern the political economy angle of concrete policy problems
Indicative Assessment
- Mid Term Tests (15) [LO null]
- Written Assignment (15) [LO null]
- Graduate Seminar (10) [LO null]
- Examination (60) [LO null]
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
Students taking this course are expected to commit at least 12 hours a week comprised of:- 2 hours of lectures and,
- 1 hour of tutorial, and
- 1 hours of graduate seminar,,
and
- 7 hours of private study.
This course requires attendance at lecture, tutorials and the seminar.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Texts and Other Reading
Prescribed Texts
There is currently no suitable text.
Recommended Reading
Brennan, Geoffrey and James M Buchanan 1980 The Power to Tax, chs 2,3 and 4, CUP
Brennan G, and Lomasky L 1987, ‘The Impartial Spectator Goes to Washington: towards a Smithian Theory of Electoral Behaviour’ Economics and Philosophy 189-211
Buchanan, J,M. 1975 ‘Constitutional Contract’, in The Limits of Liberty, University of Chicago
Hamlin, A.P. ‘The Political Economy of Constitutional Federalism’, Public Choice, 46(2) 187-195
Niskanen, William A. 1994, Bureaucracy and public economics, Aldershot : Elgar
Olson, Mancur 2000, Power and Prosperity : outgrowing communist and capitalist dictatorships New York : Basic Books
Peltzman, S. 1974 ‘Towards a More General Theory of Regulation’, Journal of Law and Economics, 335-58
Tollison R.D. 1989, ‘Chicago Political Economy’ Public Choice 63, 293-297
Tullock G ‘Efficient Rent Seeking’ in Towards a Theory of the Rent Seeking Society, eds JM Buchanan, RD Tolison and G Tullock
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:
- 34
- 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 | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4680 | Standard Rate |
| 2024 | $3720 |
Grandfathered Rate*
*continuing students in nominated programs only. See fee website |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $6000 |
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.
