Not available in 2014/15
IR460
Comparative Political Economy
This information is for the 2014/15 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Lauren Phillips CLM 4.12
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in Global Politics, MSc in International Affairs (LSE and Peking University), MSc in International Political Economy, MSc in International Political Economy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in International Political Economy (Research), MSc in Management, MSc in Management (CEMS MIM) and MSc in Political Science and Political Economy. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.
Course content
The comparative study of democratic institutions and economic policy choice.
This course will investigate how theories emphasising distributional interests and domestic institutions can explain economic policy choices. Particular emphasis will be placed on giving students an understanding of the use of quantitative methods in political economy research. A third main objective will be to show how similar theories of political economy can be applied to both OECD and developing country cases. While there will be no formal pre-requisite for the course, it would be preferable for students to have already completed an introductory sequence in microeconomics and macroeconomics. Students without a previous background in quantitative methods can attend lectures from MI451 and MI452.
Watch a short introductory video on this course: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/internationalRelations/video/IR460-CPE-video.aspx
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 12 hours of seminars in the MT. 7 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the LT. 1 hour of lectures in the ST.
Formative coursework
Students will be required to submit three 2,000-word essays over the course of MT and LT.
Indicative reading
"The bulk of this course will be taught using journal articles. In addition, students will find it useful to consult several overview texts in political economy. Allan Drazen, Political Economy in Macroeconomics and Adam Przeworski, Susan Stokes & Bernard Manin, Democracy, Accountability, and Representation are good references."
Assessment
Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.
Student performance results
(2010/11 - 2012/13 combined)
| Classification | % of students |
|---|---|
| Distinction | 9.8 |
| Merit | 60.7 |
| Pass | 29.5 |
| Fail | 0 |
Key facts
Department: International Relations
Total students 2013/14: Unavailable
Average class size 2013/14: Unavailable
Controlled access 2013/14: No
Lecture capture used 2013/14: No
Value: One Unit
