DEC-31806 Economics and Governance

Course

Credits 6.00

Teaching methodContact hours
Individual Paper1
Lectures16
Literature study
Project learning14
Course coordinator(s)dr. CPJ Burger
Lecturer(s)dr. LKE Dries
dr. HP Weikard
prof. dr. G Antonides
dr. ir. MJ Voors
Examiner(s)prof. dr. EH Bulte
dr. LKE Dries
dr. HP Weikard
dr. CPJ Burger
prof. dr. G Antonides

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Institutional Economics and Economic Organization Theory, Microeconomics

Continuation courses:

Public Sector Economics

Contents:

The course will discuss the economics of market institutions (enforceability of contracts; trust and reputation; asymmetric information; network formation) to show their importance for trade and growth. The course will also elaborate on the rent-seeking and other political economy arguments to explain changes in policy and public institutions and their effects on trade, income and welfare. Behaviour of individuals and groups in a market context, and in relation to common goods is explored to determine the main driving forces of such behaviour. Deviations from the standard representative producer or consumer models are highlighted. Inferences for policy are made. Finally, attention is paid to the nexus of regulation, growth and development, the role of privatization and partnerships.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- analyze the institutional settings of market transactions;
- distinguish the driving forces of behaviour of agents in markets;
- analyse human behaviour vis-à-vis public and common pool goods;
- understand the consequences of governance for relations based on trust and reputation;
- analyze the pro and cons of privatization and partnerships.

Activities:

After a number of introductory lectures, students start contributing to the discussions in class themselves by preparing presentations, analyzing practical cases and writing assignments.

Examination:

- presentation;
- paper;
- written exam.

Literature:

A reader is available.

ProgrammePhaseSpecializationPeriod
Compulsory for: BEBEconomics and GovernanceBSc6AF
Restricted Optional for: MFNForest and Nature ConservationMScA: Policy and Society6AF
MinorPeriod
Compulsory for: WUECPBSc Minor Economics and Policy6AF