Course content

This course studies how policy is determined, as well as how politics and institutions interact. The course contains both theoretical models and empirical contributions. Topics include how voter behavior affects political decisions, how and why the franchise was extended, what makes voters sometimes prefer "strong politicians" and therefore removes checks and balances from constitutions, as well as the political rationale behind the distribution of resources across different segments of society.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

You learn

• How political decisions can be understood as an interplay between voters and politicians

• How economic and political power determines policy, and how such power constellations affect the evolution of institutions

• How inefficient institutions come about and persist over time

Skills

You should be able to

• explain central theories, models and empirics that can be used to study what determines political decisions and how institutions evolve.

• analyze a broad set of questions in political economy with the use of relevant models and empirics

General competence

You should be able to

• read and understand reports and research articles which deals with the topics covered in the course

• use the content of topics in own independent scientific work such as for example the master thesis

Learning methods and activities

2 hours of lectures every week. The course has compulsory activities. Specific requirements will be announced at the beginning of the term. The term papers can be written as a joint project. The course is not taught every semester. Check courses that are taught at https://www.ntnu.no/econ/valgfrie-masteremner.

Compulsory assignments

• Mandatory activity

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree in Economics

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Announced at the beginning of the term.