Political Economy of Development
| Module title | Political Economy of Development |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3263 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Gabriel Katz Wisel (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
|---|
Module description
While the topic of economic development has been largely the subject of economics research, political scientists and political economists have recently started to highlight that political institutions may play a key role in explaining why some nations become economically prosperous and others fail to develop. Can the state play a key role in fuelling economic development? How do different political institutions affect economic development? Does intra- and inter-state conflict hinder or help states achieve long-term development? Drawing from up to date literature on institutional economics, political science and political economy, this module will take a rigorous approach to the analysis of the institutional, cultural and social drivers of economic development.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Besides serving as an introduction for those who are unfamiliar with the political economy of development, the module seeks to expose students to relevant topics, problems and current debates regarding the institutional, political and socio-demographic determinants of economic development and to encourage them to think critically about some of the most important challenges faced by under-developed democracies.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Participate in informed discussions about the political economy of development
- 2. Critically evaluate current economic and political arguments regarding the causes of development;
- 3. Critically analyse concepts and contexts of political economy;
- 4. Identify common trends as well as differences between developed and under-developed democracies;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Identify and discuss key concepts in the literature on development, democracy, democratization and democratic quality, applying them to empirical case studies;
- 6. Critically assess whether - and to what extent - theoretical arguments and methodological approaches used to analyze Western democracies can be extrapolated to other political contexts;
- 7. Competently use and analyse a range of sources and materials commonly employed in political science and economic research, including historical studies, public opinion data and news sources;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Convey ideas precisely and concisely, both orally and in writing;
- 9. Present and defend your work in an effective and convincing manner in front of an audience;
- 10. Work independently and with peers to achieve goals;
- 11. Correctly analyse and interpret empirical data.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
Introduction: Economic Development and its Political Roots.
State Capacity and Economic Development
Long Term Economic Development
Failed States
Democratisation
Wealth/Income Inequality and its Consequences on Long Term Development
Property Rights
Ethnic conflict and Development
Cultural Drivers of Development
Conclusions and Review Session
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2-hour seminars |
| Guided independent study | 80 | Reading and preparation for seminars and class presentation. |
| Guided independent study | 48 | Writing up 1 essay based on the topics/materials covered in class. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receive oral feedback on draft plan for the essay and references. | Throughout the term | 2-4, 8-10 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Essay: research project drawing on one of the papers presented in class. The student should innovate on the theoretical and/or methodological scope of the paper, or propose an alternative (temporal/geographical) application of the tools presented in the paper. | 100 | 2,500 words | 1-4,5-7,8,11 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Essay | Essay (2500 words) | 1-4,5-7,8,11 | August/September re-assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Acemoglu, D. (2009). Chapter 1 of Introduction to Modern Economic Growth, Princeton.
Michalopoulos, S. and E. Papaioannou (2018). “Spatial Patterns of Development: A Meso- Approach.” Forthcoming, Annual Review of Economics.
Acemoglu, D., J. Robinson, and S. Johnson (2001). “The Colonial Origins of Comparative Development: An Empirical Investigation.” American Economic Review, 91: 1369-401.
Dincecco, M. (2017). State Capacity and Economic Development, Cambridge.
Besley, T. and T. Persson (2014). “The Causes and Consequences of Development Clusters: State Capacity, Peace, and Income.” Annual Review of Economics, 6: 927-49.
Pierskalla, J., Schultz, A. and E. Wibbels (2017). “Order, Distance, and Local Development over the Long Run.” Quarterly Journal of Political Science, 12: 375-404.
Dell, M., N. Lane, and P. Querubin (2017). “The Historical State, Local Collective Action, and Economic Development in Vietnam.” Working paper.
Acemoglu, D., C. Garcia-Jimeno, and J. Robinson (2015). “State Capacity and Economic Development: A Network Approach.” American Economic Review, 105: 2364-409.
Bates, R. (2008). “The Role of the State in Development.” In Weingast, B. and D. Wittman, eds., Oxford Handbook of Political Economy, Oxford.
Tilly, C. (1992). Chapter 3 of Coercion, Capital and European States, Blackwell.
Blaydes, L. and C. Paik (2016). “The Impact of Holy Land Crusades on State Formation: War Mobilization, Trade Integration, and Political Development in Medieval Europe.” International Organization, 70: 551-86.
Aghion, P., X. Jaravel, T. Persson, and D. Rouzet (2015). “Education and Military Rivalry.” Working paper.
Abramson, S. (2017). “The Economic Origins of the Territorial State.” International Organization, 71: 97-130.
Acemoglu, D. and J. Robinson (2017). “The Emergence of Weak, Despotic, and Inclusive States.” Working paper.
Allen, R. (1997). “Agriculture and the Origins of the State in Ancient Egypt.” Explorations in Economic History, 34: 135-54.
Lee, M. and N. Zhang (2017). “Legibility and the Informational Foundations of State Capacity.” Journal of Politics, 79: 118-32.
Herbst, J. (2000). Chapters 1 and 2 of States and Power in Africa, Princeton.
Gerring, J. D. Ziblatt, J. Van Gorp, and J. Arevalo (2011). “An Institutional Theory of Direct and Indirect Rule.” World Politics, 63: 377-433.
Michalopoulos, S. and E. Papaioannou (2018). “Pre-Colonial Ethnic Institutions and Contemporary African Development.” Econometrica, 81: 113-52.
Nunn, N. and D. Puga (2012). “Ruggedness: The Blessing of Bad Geography in Africa.” Review of Economics and Statistics, 94: 20-36.
Alesina, A., Easterly, W. and Matuszeski, J. (2011). “Artificial States.” Journal of the European Economic Association, 9: 246-77.
Acemoglu, D. and J. Robinson (2008). “Persistence of Power, Elites, and Institutions.” American Economic Review, 98: 267-93.
Rosenthal, J.L. (1990). “The Development of Irrigation in Provence, 1700-1860: The French Revolution and Economic Growth.” Journal of Economic History, 50: 615-38.
Page, S. (2006). “Path Dependence.” Quarterly Journal of Political Science, 1: 87-115.
Greif, A. and D. Laitin (2004). “A Theory of Endogenous Institutional Change.” American Political Science Review, 98: 633-52.
Haber, S., N. Maurer, A. Razo (2003). “When the Law Does Not Matter: The Rise and Decline of the Mexican Oil Industry.” Journal of Economic History, 63: 1-31.
Rajan, R. and R. Ramchuran (2016). “Constituencies and Legislation: The Fight Over the Mc-Fadden Act of 1927.” Management Science, 62: 1843-59.
Ziblatt, D. (2016). “How Did Europe Democratize?” World Politics, 58: 311-38.
Boix, C. (2011). “Democracy, Development, and the International System.” American Political Science Review, 105: 809-28.
Giuliano, P. and N. Nunn (2013). “The Transmission of Democracy: From the Village to the Nation-State.” American Economic Review: Papers and Proceedings, 103: 86-92.
Acemoglu, D., S. Naidu, P. Restrepo, J. Robinson (2016). “Democracy Does Cause Growth.” Journal of Political Economy.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | none |
| Module co-requisites | none |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/01/2020 |
| Last revision date | 24/08/2020 |
