PP418 Half Unit
Globalisation and Economic Policy
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Andres Velasco Branes
Availability
This course is available on the Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Columbia), Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-Sciences Po), Double Master of Public Administration (LSE-University of Toronto), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Hertie), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and NUS), MPA Dual Degree (LSE and Tokyo), MPA in Data Science for Public Policy, Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.
Priority is given to students from the School of Public Policy. Students from other programmes will be considered if places remain. MPP students, second year MPA Double and Dual Degree students and students from outside of the School of Public Policy should submit a statement in support of their request. Previous economics and econometrics are required for all students (please give details in your statement).
Deadline for application: 9am on Monday of week 1 of Autumn Term (including requests from School of Public Policy students). We aim to inform students of the outcome of their request by 12noon on Tuesday of week 1 of Autumn Term.
For queries contact: mpa@lse.ac.uk
Requisites
Assumed prior knowledge:
The expectation is that students will have previously taken PP440 and PP455 or equivalent courses. Students who have not taken PP440 and PP455 (including MPA Dual and Double Degree students spending Year 2 at LSE) will require permission from the course lecturer to attend the course.
Course content
Over the past two centuries, the global economy has become increasingly interconnected. This course studies the policy implications of this globalization. It considers the causes and consequences of increasing international economic integration, focusing particularly on the challenges and opportunities that globalization creates for policy makers. Key areas covered include: international trade, innovation and growth, migration and wages, international capital flows, borrowing and adjustment in the world economy, monetary and exchange rate policy, and financial crises. The course builds on the knowledge developed in PP440 and PP455.
Teaching
10 hours of seminars and 22 hours of lectures in the Winter Term.
Formative assessment
The formative coursework will comprise two graded problem sets. The formative coursework will take place throughout the term.
Indicative reading
There is no single textbook that includes all the material covered in this course. Lectures and readings will primarily draw from journal articles. Five books that will be used during the course are:
- Krugman, P.R., Obstfeld, M and Melitz, M.J. International economics: theory and policy 11th edition (Boston: Pearson, 2018)
- Rodrik, D., The globalization paradox: why global markets, states and democracy can't coexist (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011)
- Irwin, D., Free Trade Under Fire (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2015)
- Catao, Luis and M.Obstfeld (eds.) Meeting Globalization's Challenges: Policies to Make Trade Work for All. (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2019)
- Markus K. Brunnermeier and Ricardo Reis, A Crash Course on Crises: Macroeconomic Concepts for Run-Ups, Collapses and Recoveries (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2023)
Assessment
Practical test (50%)
Problem sets (25%)
Problem sets (25%)
Two assessed problem sets will be assigned during Winter Term. The in-class written test will take place in week 1 of Spring Term.
Key facts
Department: School of Public Policy
Course Study Period: Winter Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Total students 2024/25: 39
Average class size 2024/25: 10
Controlled access 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills