Dr R Razin, S480

Optional course for BSc Economics, BSc Economics with Economic History, BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics, BSc Economics and Economic History, BSc Government and Economics, BSc Philosophy and Economics and BSc Social Policy and Economics. It is available as an outside option, and to General course students.

Students should have completed Microeconomic Principles I or II (or equivalent) and Macroeconomic Principles (or equivalent).

The course seeks to introduce students to the major theoretical models of Political Economy and the available empirical evidence.  Sample topics to be covered include: Preference aggregation and voting; Political economy of income redistribution; Political economy of regulation; Constitutional rules and policy outcomes; Bureaucracy; Lobbying; The role of the media; Campaign Finance; Political Parties; Turnout in elections; Ethnic Politics; International conflicts; Debates and Communication.

Lectures: 20 MT & LT. Classes: eight in MT, ten in LT and two in ST.

At least four exercises or pieces of written work will be required and assessed by class teachers.

There is no text book covering all the material in the course. The following books are recommended as supplements to what is covered in the lectures. Analyzing Politics, Rationality, Behavior and Institutions, K.A. Shepsle and M.S. Bonchek. W. W. Norton & Company, New York, London. Liberalism Against Populism, W.H. Riker, Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, Illinois.  For additional readings see http://econ.lse.ac.uk/courses/ec302/

A three-hour written examination in the ST.