• University of Exeter Business School
• Module

International Political Economy

Module description

The module focuses on the relation between institutions and economic development. Societies across the world are organized in different ways. These differences in organization often leads to differences in economic outcomes. The module will look into questions such as: do institutions matter? what features of institutions foster economic development? and why certain institutions emerge in certain places? This module will consider institutions as both formal institutions like law and political organization as well as informal institutions like norms and culture.

Additional Information:

Internationalisation

The module critically looks at the role of institutions, particularly political institutions, to explain differences in economic outcomes across societies. Thus, the course is inherently international.

Employability

Students will get a chance to get themselves acquainted with the theoretical and empirical tools used by top researchers in the field. In addition, students will also have an opportunity to develop their writing and analytical skills. These skills are valued by employers.

The assessment structure on this module is subject to review and may change before the start of the new academic year. Any changes will be clearly communicated to you before the start of term and if you wish to change module as a result of this you can do so in the module change window.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aims of the module are to develop the themes introduced in the first year modules in the Introduction to Political Economy and the Philosophy of Economics by their application to contemporary issues in globalisation, ethics and morality, economic methodology and ideology.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Describe the concept of institutions.
• 2. Explain the role of institutions in shaping economic conditions.
• 3. Explain the role of history in shaping institutions.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Discuss an important underlying framework for economic development.
• 5. Indicate the frontier research topics in the area of economic development.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 6. Demonstrate writing and analytical skills.

Syllabus plan

• Introduction
• The empirical relationship between institutions and economic development
• Colonialism and institutions
• Persistence of institutions
• Functions of institutions
• Democracy and economic development
• Social institutions
• Historical conditions and institutions in Africa
• Historical conditions and institutions in the Middle East

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

• • Articles to be provided in the syllabus

           Avner Greif, “Institutions and Path to Modern Economy”, 2006.

Key words search

Institutions, Political Economy.