PAP-31306 Politics, Policy Making and Accountability in International Arenas for Development

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Assumed knowledge on:

Bachelor social science;
ENP-30506 Theories on Politics and Governance or equivalent;
SDC-23306 Law and Public Power or equivalent;
SDC-36306 Perspectives and Themes in International Development Studies or equivalent.

Continuation courses:

SDC-35806 Politics of Development: State, Property and Resistance

Contents:

This course will deepen insights into the dynamics and complexity of the politics and policy making that takes place within and between diverse international arenas: multilateral ones of the United Nations or the Bretton Woods institutions; mini-lateral ones, such as G7 and G20; bilateral ones, such as the EU and USA negotiating the TTIP; and private ones, like global roundtables. The course addresses (1) key concepts from international relations and governance studies to unpack politics and policy making in international arenas for development; (2) relevant research methodologies for the study of politics, policy making and accountability in international arenas for development; (3) different strategies for consolidating, challenging and changing the power of international arenas. Altogether, this course provides students with substantive expertise and analytical skills necessary to understand and become leaders in the study and practice of changing international development policies and politics.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand and analyse the dynamics and complexity of politics and policy making within and between different international arenas with the help of relevant concepts (power, sovereignty, legitimacy, etc.) and theories (such as institutional theory etc.);
- analyse interactions between international and domestic politics and policy making in terms of both allocation of responsibility for decision-making and implementation, with the help of relevant concepts and theories (such as two-level games);
- critically review the variation in existing (often very weak) accountability structures in diverse, yet specific international arenas, and related issues of participation and representation;
- apply relevant research methodologies for the study of politics, policy making and accountability in international arenas for development;
- critically assess potential strategies for consolidating, challenging and changing the politics and policy making of international arenas and for strengthening the ability of holding central actors to account.

Activities:

Presentational and interactive lectures; simulation games; writing of individual academic essay with peer review and tutorials.

Examination:

- critical review by mini-group of key concepts and theoretical arguments (15%)
- performance at simulation games (35%)
- individual academic essay (50%)
Each component needs a minimum mark of 5.0 to pass

Literature:

Articles and book chapters.