Module Title: Comparative Political Economy
Module Leader: Dr James Wood
Module Description:
This module introduces students to the key concepts, theories and issues in the comparative study of economic policymaking, and how they link to economic, political and social outcomes. The course begins with a critical assessment of the Varieties of Capitalism framework, before examining key areas of economic policymaking, including: international labour markets; corporate governance; the welfare state and macroeconomic growth models. The module then examines non-western states, before concluding with a critical investigation of the extent to which there has been a general convergence on a single vision of capitalism. The aim of this module is to give students the tools to identify the diversity of different economies, as well as develop an understanding the causes and consequences of such diversity, by immersing them in key debates in Comparative Political Economy. Some familiarity with economic concepts is not a prerequisite for taking the course but may be helpful with the course content.