POL S 270 A: Introduction to Political Economy

This course is designed as an introductory survey of the field of political economy. In this course we will explore how economics and politics intersect and interact with one another. What can we gain from analyzing politics if we view it from an economic lens? On the other hand, what can we learn about economics if we consider it from a political perspective? We will explore rational choice theory as a school of thought to understand and make sense of human behavior, and its implications for economic and political choices and decisions made writ large. To this end, we will also delve into concepts relating to microeconomics, public choice, and basic game theory. This course will cover the following puzzles and questions that are central to political economy:

• How do human beings make decisions individually and in groups, and how do they decide

how to decide?

• How do groups (and societies) allocate scarce resources among its members? 

• Is the market the best mechanism to produce goods and allocate resources? Why might

governments also be involved in producing goods and allocating resources?

• What other alternative arrangements besides markets and governments that exist in order to

better allocate such resources?

• Why do institutions exist, and how do they influence economic and political decision-making?

• How do groups organize to effect change? Why are some movements more successful than

others in effecting change?

• If violence is costly, why do certain groups resort to violence to achieve their goals?