Introduction to Political Economy

• ECTS credits: 10
• Responsible Faculty: Faculty of Business and Social Sciences
• Semester: Fall
• Teaching Language: English
• Participants: Students who pursue bachelor education in business or related fields
• Prerequisite knowledge: Completion of second year bachelor education in business or related fields
• Contact: Ms. Stine Bergman Olsson, email: stine.olsson@hive.no

Learning outcomes:
The course in an introduction to economics that explains how a market economy works, why it sometimes do not work as well as we would like, and how over time it changes its own functioning. The course also gives an introduction to the most fundamental differences among the political economies of the developed world. How do national institutional differences condition economic performance, public policy, income distribution and well-being? Will institutional differences between countries and regions survive the pressure for convergence generated by globalization and technological change?  

Contents of Syllabus:
Introduction to political economy
Capitalism shakes the world
Capitalism as an economic system
Competition and coordination
Wages, work and the social organization of the workplace
People, preferences and society
Varieties of capitalism
Rethinking the trade-off between growth and equality
Possibilities for egalitarian redistribution in a globalized world: The Nordic model as a case study

Learning Methods:
Interaction through ordinary class teaching
Assignments and group works


Assessment Methods:
Two compulsory assignments need to be submitted, but they have no impact on the overall grade.  A four hour school examination at the end of the semester that counts 100% of the overall grade.

List of Readings:
A compendium consisting of Articles and book chapters

Course Coordinator:  Associate Professor Jon Reiersen