Prof Stephanie Rickard

This course is available on the Master of Public Policy, MSc in Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics), MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour) and MSc in Political Science (Political Science and Political Economy). 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. For information on controlled access courses, including eligibility, application processes, deadlines, and departmental contact details, please refer to the Controlled Access Courses webpage.

How to apply: To apply for a place on this course, please submit a short statement of no more than 200 words via LfY. Your statement should outline your reasons for applying and explain how the course will support your academic and/or career goals. If applicable, you should also demonstrate how you meet any pre-requisites listed in the course guide. If the course is compulsory for your programme, no written statement is required.

Priority for places on Government (GV) courses will be given first to students for whom the course is compulsory. Where applicable, priority will then be given to students on the Department of Government programmes listed in the ‘Availability’ section of the course guide, followed by students on other programmes listed in that section. Students on all other programmes will be considered next, where a course is available as an outside option. You should ensure that you meet any pre-requisites listed in the course guide before applying. Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed. Where a course is oversubscribed, places will be allocated based on programme priority and the written statement.

Deadline for applications: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 25 September 2026. You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 28 September 2026. Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.

For queries contact: gov.msc@lse.ac.uk.

This course is controlled access and spaces are limited. Priority will be given to students enrolled on MSc programmes in the Department of Government.

A background in international economics and understanding of key concepts, such as comparative advantage, externalities and equilibrium, would be advantageous. A knowledge of quantitative empirical methods, including regression analysis and instrumental variables, will be assumed. Familiarity with formal mathematical models will be an asset.

This course examines the role institutions play in global trade and countries’ trade policies. Theories from both economics and political science are used to understand how formal institutions and economic interests shape trade policies and politics. This course examines domestic political institutions, such as electoral systems, as well as international institutions, such as the World Trade Organization.

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the Winter Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Winter Term.

Continuous assessment weekly.

Students will be asked to complete weekly writing assignments in the WT.

Osgood, Iain. (2017) “The Breakdown of Industrial Opposition to Trade in World Politics.” World Politics 69(1): 184-231.

Hiscox, Michael. (2002) “Commerce, Coalitions, and Factor Mobility: Evidence from Congressional Votes on Trade Legislation.” American Political Science Review 96(3): 593-608.

Grossman, Gene M. and Elhanan Helpman. (1994) “Protection for Sale.” The American Economic Review 84(4): 833-850.

Evans, Carolyn. (2009) “A Protectionist Bias in Majoritarian Politics: An Empirical Investigations.” Economics & Politics 21(2): 278-307.

Essay (100%, 3000 words) in Spring Term Week 1.